Town of Babylon Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez and Councilwoman Jackie Gordon were recently in attendance for the commissioning of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps CPL Kyle Carpenter Division in Farmingdale. CPL Kyle Carpenter is the youngest living recipient of the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor in the United States. At the ceremony, Deputy Supervisor Martinez and Councilwoman Gordon, who herself is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and a veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, thanked Carpenter for his service and sacrifice while defending our freedoms.
In 2010, CPL Carpenter was involved in heavy combat in Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan when he attempted to shield a fellow Marine from a grenade explosion; both men lived but with severe injuries, including structural damage to Carpenter’s face and loss of his right eye. Carpenter was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama at an official ceremony at the White House in June 2014 in recognition of his actions.
The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a nationwide program for citizens aged 13 to 17 who are interested in naval operations and nautical training. The program seeks to teach the value of teamwork, courage, self-reliance and patriotism to young Americans. The training also serves as an entryway to enlistment in the United States Navy or Coast Guard.
Pictured from left to right are Deputy Supervisor Martinez, CPL. Kyle Carpenter and Councilwoman Gordon.