WASHINGTON — Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer has reenlisted in the United States Marine Corps, more than a decade after his heroic actions during the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan earned him the nation’s highest military honor.
The Department of Defense confirmed the news in a post on social media Thursday, stating: “Dakota Meyer has repeatedly answered the call of duty… Today, he has decided to put his Country first again and has REENLISTED into the @USMC.”
Meyer, a former sergeant, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on September 8, 2009, when he saved the lives of 36 U.S. and Afghan troops during an ambush in Kunar Province. At just 21 years old, he repeatedly entered a kill zone in a Humvee under heavy fire to extract wounded comrades and retrieve fallen soldiers.
He became the first living Marine in 38 years to receive the Medal of Honor when President Barack Obama presented the award in 2011.
The Marine Corps has not yet released details regarding Meyer’s new assignment or role following his reenlistment. However, the announcement was widely shared and celebrated across military and veteran communities online.
A return to service after years of advocacy
Following his military service, Meyer became an advocate for veterans’ mental health and post-service reintegration. He has also worked in private sector roles and maintained a public presence speaking on leadership and sacrifice.
Key Points
- Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer reenlists in the U.S. Marine Corps
- Meyer earned the nation’s highest military award after saving 36 lives in 2009
- His return to active service has been confirmed by the Department of Defense
Meyer’s reenlistment marks a rare and notable return to active duty by one of the U.S. military’s most decorated living veterans.