From the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, an extraordinary inspirational memoir that will change the life of every reader.
âKyle displayed a heroism in the blink of an eye that will inspire for generationsâ âPresident Barack Obama, at Kyle Carpenter's Medal of Honor ceremony
I want my story to help others see whatâs extraordinary in themselves. âKyle Carpenter
On November 21, 2010, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter was posted on a rooftop in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when an enemy grenade skittered across the roof. Kyleâs post that afternoon, with his friend and fellow Marine Nick Eufrazio, had been eerily quiet; now, with no time to escape, they had to make a split-second decision or they would both be dead. Without a second thought, Kyle jumped on the grenade, a brutal killing device. His vision went blank, his entire body numb, he tried to move but could not. His gear had melted. It felt as though someone was pouring warm water all over him; he dazedly realized that the liquid was his own blood. He had made an instantaneous decision, almost on instinct, one that would change his life forever.
Kyleâs heroic act saved Nick Eufrazio's life, but nearly cost Kyle his own. His heart flatlined three times. Wounded from head to toe, Kyle lost his right eye, as well as most of his face from the nose down. It would take dozens of surgeries and almost three years in and out of the hospital to reconstruct his bodyâand from there, he began the process of rebuilding his life. What he has accomplished in the last five years is truly extraordinary: heâs undergone extensive physical rehabilitation, graduated from college, ran three marathons, and embarked on a new career as a motivational speaker. And in 2014, he was awarded the our nationâs highest military decoration, Medal of Honor, by President Barack Obama, making Carpenter the youngest living recipient of the award.
âWith that singular act of courage, Kyle, you not only saved your brother in arms, you displayed a heroism in the blink of an eye that will inspire for generations,â stated the president.
You Are Worth It is a memoir about the War in Afghanistan and Kyleâs heroics, yes, but it also is a manual for living. Organized around the credos that have guided Kyleâs life (from âDonât Hide Your Scarsâ to âCall Your Momâ), the book encourages us to become our best selves in the time we've been given on earth. Above all, itâs about finding purpose in life, despite the significant challenges that may come your way. As Kyle writes, addressing us all: âYou are worth it. You are. You are worth protecting, you are worth fighting for, you are worth time in a hospital bed and deep scars on my bodyâbecause all Americans, the people of Afghanistan, and so many people around the world who go to bed at night wishing to one day taste freedom and peace have inherent worth as human beings. If we donât spend our time on this earth looking out for one another, what are we really doing with our lives?â
Moving and unforgettable, You Are Worth It is an astonishing memoir from one of our most extraordinary young leaders.