Medal of Honor Recipient Declines FDNY Deadline Extension
EmailDakota Meyer, the first living marine to receive a Medal of Honor, wants to be a New York City firefighter. The only problem is that he missed the deadline.
Meyer missed the Sept. 19 deadline because of activities surrounding his Medal of Honor win, his attorney said. The next time he can apply is in four years, attorney Keith Sullivan said.
Sullivan filed an application Saturday for the city to extend the application period for a short window so that Meyer could apply. A federal judge refused the idea of opening the window to all and instead said Monday that only Meyer’s application would be accepted. That didn’t sit well with the former marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama on Sept. 15.
“My client is not willing to submit an application where he’s the only one getting that benefit. He doesn’t feel he warrants extraordinary treatment,” said Sullivan. “We would not be amenable to a one person exception at this time, he is declining the offer as he feels it would compromise his values and principles.”
While Meyer might not feel he deserves extraordinary treatment, his courage while serving in Afghanistan was extraordinary.
He still insists he’s not a hero for rescuing 36 American and Afghan troops during a mission in eastern Afghanistan in Sept. 2009. Positioned in a rear position when an ambush began, Meyer and other members of his unit disobeyed orders to remain in place and used a Humvee to rush into the kill zone to try and rescue four American trainers trapped at the head of their column. Fighting through a piece of shrapnel that had injured his arm, Meyer later reached the four only to find that they had died in the fighting.
Ray Tamarra/FilmMagic/Getty Images
In an interview with ABC’s Bob Woodruff , Meyer said that he was only doing “what marines do…I’m the furthest thing from a hero.”
Meyer wears bracelets with the names of the four Americans killed in Ganjgal that day and feels some guilt that he survived the battle. “I guess what’s stuck in my mind is you either get guys out alive or you die trying, if you didn’t die trying, you didn’t try hard enough.”
The 23-year-old Kentucky native revealed his dreams of being a New York City firefighter to the New York Post over the weekend after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a New York Mets game. He told the paper, “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a way I feel I can do my part in giving back to America.”
For now, his attorney still hopes that city officials can come up with a way to reopen the application window for all so that Meyer can become a firefighter.
“I have already asked the city to go back to the drawing board,” Sullivan said. “The city’s burden pales in comparison to the burdens and compromises Sgt. Meyer has made for this county. We as a city and country deserve to put in the effort to make this dream possible and he shouldn’t have to wait four years.”
ABC News’ Luis Martinez contributed to this report.
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You can’t buy character and integrity like that. This is an American soldier I am very proud of!
Posted by: Seriously | September 27, 2011, 11:52 am 11:52 am
You don’t “win” the Medal of Honor. You are awarded it. It’s a prize in some sort of competition.
Posted by: Steve Thompson | September 27, 2011, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm
He could only hand in his application exactly during those moments he was getting his medal? That sounds kinda lame to me. Hmmmm. Even heroes are procrastinators I guess.
Posted by: richard roberts | September 27, 2011, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm
Sorry, I meant to say: “It’s NOT a prize in some sort of competition”.
Posted by: Steve Thompson | September 27, 2011, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm
Good decision Marine..So many folks would have put themselves first but you showed what a real man does. from a retired Army Paratrooper..
Posted by: JMD | September 27, 2011, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
Classy guy. And a real man. There are a lot of people who could learn a lot from this man.
Posted by: David L | September 27, 2011, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm
If all Americans had his integrity, our country would be able to run itself.
Posted by: ocmarsha | September 27, 2011, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
What a great guy!!!! Dakota Meyer’s display of integrity should serve as an example to everyone!
Posted by: Bob A. | September 27, 2011, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
if you can be awarded that medal, you should be able to follow deadlines. next time, dont forget the rules. they were advertised for all.
Posted by: Tom | September 27, 2011, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
Winner? You mean “Recipient.” It’s a war. Not a contest.
Posted by: hardtalk | September 27, 2011, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
I believe our politicians in Washington could learn a thing or two from this young man! Wish they acted as honorably as this.
Posted by: Simply_Iris | September 27, 2011, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
I can only hope that our politicians will take note of this story and strive to begin to serve America in a like manner.
Posted by: Cissy | September 27, 2011, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
LOVE LOVE LOVE our Marines! They are the top!… Love all military branches, but hey when one is your own you love them best. They are full of honor and more humble than you can believe. Ooh Rah Marine Meyer!!!
Posted by: mom2AUSMC | September 27, 2011, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
Being awarded the MoH is such an impressive honor, but he was not the “first living Marine to receive a Medal of Honor.” I’ve met others, like 9the now passed) Jack Lucas, who was awarded his at age 17 for service at Iwo Jima.
Nonetheless, a very classy act. If only we could all learn something from him.
Posted by: Andrew | September 27, 2011, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
So very proud of Dakota.
Rock on, man. You are what’s right with the world.
Posted by: Vivid Peace | September 27, 2011, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
With the MOH comes certain privileges. Being singled out to be accepted into the FF program is not one of the, but dang Marine, you earned it!!!! Take the exception. BTW ABC news, this Marine did not put in for a lottery and he did not “win” the MOH he earned it by putting his life on the line for our Country.
Posted by: dkgiovenco | September 27, 2011, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm
This Marine should go to washington and TRY ! to give classes to our elected officials on Honer and respect for our Country and Citizens .
Posted by: Mac Marine | September 27, 2011, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
KENTUCKIAN AND MARINE!!!!
Posted by: Jennifer | September 27, 2011, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
This guy has class.
Posted by: Hoosier | September 27, 2011, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
Mom2ausmc, are you sure? Because as far as the world knows he is the first LIVING Medal of Honour recipient. Others have been awarded the honour but posthumously. What a classy man, that judge should be ashamed and should reconsider to open it to everyone. The FDNY deserves to have a man like this serving with them.
Posted by: Faith | September 27, 2011, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
It is Kind of strange that he accepts the Medal of Honor.. But doesn’t accept the extension …
Shouldn’t he be declining the Medal of Honor??? According to his own bonehead views.
Posted by: jimmy johnson | September 27, 2011, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
He’s not the only living Marine recipient of the Medal Of Honor. He’s the first living Marine to have earned it in over 40 years.
Posted by: USMCE7 | September 27, 2011, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm
Um, yes, dude, you DO deserve the special treatment. Besides, NY is just looking out for its interests – how awesome a firefighter would this guy be?
Posted by: JrzWrld | September 27, 2011, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm
Marine Meyer is in good company, with the likes of Pvt Alvin York, Lt Audie Murphy, and Col Robert Howard. He’s a National Treasure now, IMO. He’ll realize this dream, count on it.
Posted by: wildblueyondergoAF | September 27, 2011, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
Please run for elected office, I will vote for you!
Posted by: Judi K | September 27, 2011, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm
When you are writing about our beloved Marines in an article, please capitalize the word Marine. Show some respect!
Posted by: becky | September 27, 2011, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm
“He could only hand in his application exactly during those moments he was getting his medal? That sounds kinda lame to me. Hmmmm. Even heroes are procrastinators I guess.”–”if you can be awarded that medal, you should be able to follow deadlines. next time, dont forget the rules. they were advertised for all.”–”It is Kind of strange that he accepts the Medal of Honor.. But doesn’t accept the extension …Shouldn’t he be declining the Medal of Honor??? According to his own bonehead views.”———-What sour grapes! Is it jealousy? The guy showed guts under fire; he’s a hero.
Posted by: jonnie | September 27, 2011, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
This is guy is a Super Hero! Talk about the courage and consistency of one’s convictions. Wow.
Posted by: AppeaseThis | September 27, 2011, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
Damn. That is one classy guy…..
Posted by: Searambler | September 27, 2011, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm
What a breath of fresh air – a man with integrity, values and character! Exactly what is NOT in Washington running our country! This man should run for President!
Posted by: RalphF | September 27, 2011, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
He sounds like a fine young man. I would like to thank each and every service member (all branches) for their service to their country. I applaud all of you.
Posted by: Saints Fan | September 27, 2011, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
The story never states how he saved 36 people. I understand that he went in to save the people that were already dead, but how did he save 36 people?
Posted by: TGC | September 27, 2011, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
How long do I have to wait to vote for Meyer for president.
Posted by: Bill C | September 27, 2011, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
Dakota Meyers is a shining example of how the youth of America should /could be today. He is a true hero for more reasons than the ones that earned him his medal of honor.
Posted by: berton1929 | September 27, 2011, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm
“The story never states how he saved 36 people. I understand that he went in to save the people that were already dead, but how did he save 36 people?” This story was about how this valiant Marine and MOH winner denied special treatment to enable him to submit an application to the FDNY after a deadline had passed. If you’d like to know more about his bravery, why don’t you try googling it? Or reading a DOD press release? ABC is not responsible for your ignorance. Seriously, try googling “Dakota Meyer Medal of Honor” if you want more details.
Posted by: AppeaseThis | September 27, 2011, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm
If more people had this kind of character we would have people refusing obscene wealth and there would be more parity between the rich and the poor.
Posted by: Daver | September 27, 2011, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
This is what honor, principles, and morals looks like folks!
Most of us haven’t seen this in a long long time.
God Bless this Marine!
Posted by: Sue Boggler | September 27, 2011, 3:47 pm 3:47 pm
Wouldn’t it be lovely if folks stopped getting praised and awarded for doing the job they’re paid to do…not in this lifetime, however. Folks, as “awesome, amazing, and classy” as this young man is, which I do not dispute, it still remains a fact that as a member of the all-volunteer paid military, he applied for and accepted a job, for which he is paid perhaps not well, but paid with some fairly decent benefits (housing, clothing, tax free shopping, health care) that many Americans do not receive. So now his dream is to be a New York firefighter? What’s wrong with being a firefighter in his hometown? What makes the FDNY so special that a MoH individual can only dream of it?…Get real, people. He’s a great guy, but so are pretty much every serving member of the military, fire districts, police departments…most of ‘em drawing a paycheck, going to work and making life a little more bearable for the rest of us who don’t have that kind of drive. I think perhaps this bandwagon is overloaded.
Posted by: singlemom | September 27, 2011, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm
In regards to Faith’s comment: “Mom2ausmc, are you sure? Because as far as the world knows he is the first LIVING Medal of Honour recipient. Others have been awarded the honour but posthumously. What a classy man, that judge should be ashamed and should reconsider to open it to everyone. The FDNY deserves to have a man like this serving with them.”
He isn’t the first living Medal of Honor recipient of the current wars, there have been two previous recipients as well; Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta and Sergeant First Class Leroy Petry. Both are Army. Meyer is the first living Marine to be awarded the Medal of Honor since Vietnam. The award has been around since the American Civil War (I’m assuming based on your spelling of Honour that you aren’t American), and there have been many living recipients over the years. But he is only the 3rd from the Iraq and Afghan Wars. And as has been stated earlier, you don’t “win” the Medal of Honor, you receive it. And it’s not something you can decline when the Commandant of the Marine Corps personally signs off on the recommendation that you receive it.
Posted by: Stephen | September 27, 2011, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
The MOH is not a prize ABC, and the term Marine is always capitalized when used in this context….I guess I’d rather be a “dumb” Marine (based on how the public perceives military service) than a journalist with a fancy education who doesn’t know their ass from their elbow.
Posted by: SgtKarenHolliday | September 27, 2011, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm
Congratulations to Sgt. Dakota Meyer! But Ms. Hopper please do your homework. He is not the first living Marine to ever receive the medal of honor. Just the first from this war. Thank you, and Semper Fidelis!
Posted by: Lewis B. Puller | September 27, 2011, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm
I’m sure others have pointed this out, but Marine is always capitalized when used as a title. Others have pointed out that he didn’t “win” and it’s not a “prize.” If you’re going to report on the military, find a former military correspondent who attended the Defense Information School. They understand and have a rapport with the demographic and will cover them much better.
Posted by: Jay L | September 27, 2011, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm
Truly honorable, what character.
Posted by: KilgoreT59 | September 27, 2011, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm
He is not the first Living Marine to be awarded the MOH, do some research, there have been 15 Marines who were alive when they were awarded that Medal..88 Military personnel from all branches who were alive..Way to Go Sgt Meyer, Respectfully Sgt KD..Semper Fi
Posted by: SGT KD | September 27, 2011, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
I’m tired of reporters using the word “win” when it comes to medals. These writer must have never served their country to understand.
Posted by: SparkySpunky | September 27, 2011, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
A small detail worth correcting since it has been repeated incorrectly numerous times. SGT Meyer is the first living Marine to receive the MOH in “38″ years. Also to Jimmy Johnson: Dakota didn’t want the MOH, he has been perfectly clear on that point since he sincerly feels he failed in his mission to save his friends of which there were 5, not 4. The 5th, SFC Westbrook, USA, died stateside of wounds he suffered in the battle. Perhaps if you had spoken to Dakota personally as I have and read the account of what he did you’d have a bit more respect for him rather than voicing ignorant opinions..
Posted by: LCDR_RMW | September 27, 2011, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Hmmm not gonna be tied up in the FDNY…but national elections are coming up….wonder if this fine American is interested in running for President?
Posted by: Mainstreetmarshall | September 27, 2011, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
I don’t see what’s so upstanding about a guy who expects the state of NY to change the rules for everyone because he was late with his application. Is it fair to people in the past if this year every single person got an extension? He should have been thankful they gave him an extension. These things are dealt with on a case by case basis.
Posted by: kim | September 27, 2011, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
To all,
Is there any doubt that this guy would rush into a burning building to save you and your children……sign the boy up.
Posted by: Patriot Guard Rider/Member | September 27, 2011, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
Regarding “bonehead views”. According to his statements, this young man accepted the medal on behalf of his dead fellow Marines and for the Corps as a whole. He was not happy about the award. If his honor, views, and principles are boneheaded, I am proud to say that I would be honored to be called a bonehead.
Posted by: KDC | September 27, 2011, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
If only our President had the class this young man has. Not to mention the testicular fortitude.
Posted by: Da Doctor | September 27, 2011, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
Kim, did you read the article? Sgt. Meyer DECLINED the extension because he did not want to compromise his values or integrity.
Posted by: Joan | September 27, 2011, 10:24 pm 10:24 pm
I was fortunate to meet Sgt. Dakota Meyer a few hours before the MoH ceremony. He was waiting in the hotel lobby with friends and family preparing to go to the White House. He is a fine young man and graciously posed for a photo with me.
The more I learn about Sgt Meyer the more I respect him and honor his service to our country. His moral compass is something we can all aspire to.
God Bless you Dakota and God Bless all our men and women in the armed services.
Posted by: Barbara Chludzinski | September 27, 2011, 10:58 pm 10:58 pm
What they mean is that he’s the 1st living marine to be awarded the moh since the veitnam war meaning that their might be still be living marine moh recipients but they weren’t awarded the moh after the Vietnam war.
Posted by: Marcos | September 28, 2011, 11:06 am 11:06 am
They only hire once every 4 years? WOW Don’t they need to hire a bit more often than that? Surely once a year would be more beneficial to the people of NY?
Posted by: Angela | September 28, 2011, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm
One thing you all are missing. This judge in NYC is a crazy liberal who feels that the fdny is a raceist organization because not enough African Americans apply for the exam. $5 million of tax payer money has been spent on minority recruiting for this upcoming test!… He feels that if he extends the test filing for everyone, too many whites will apply now that this attention to has been brought to the exam…this is insane….don’t believe me? Do the research as to why he will not extend the filing for everyone. Way to go Dakota!!..finally a man of character!….signed:
A NYC Firefighter
Posted by: Jack | September 29, 2011, 12:25 am 12:25 am
This might have been posted already (a lot of posts submitted on this), but Sgt Meyers is NOT the first living Marine to EARN the Medal of Honor. Names like Basilone, Commisky, Fox, Barnum, and McGinty name but a few of the Marine who earned this honor through their extraordinary heroism and lived beyond those events. More evidence of how out of touch the media is with those who protect their First Ammendment rights.
Posted by: Tim Rogers | September 29, 2011, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm
“Win” the Medal of Honor? Seriously? Its not a “win,” he is a recipient. Don’t you think for one second he would give up ALL his awards just to have his Brothers back? And first living Marine to be awarded so? That’s definitely wrong. I seem to remember John Basilone “winning” one back in WWII (as this reporter would say it) only to be killed the next time he entered combat, at Iwo Jima.
Either way, sergeant, I have so much pride in calling you my Brother, before and after your receiving the MoH. Best of luck to you!
Semper Fidelis Ad Mortem,
Cpl. M
Posted by: Steve | October 5, 2011, 3:01 am 3:01 am