Who Is Dakota Meyer? Age, Biography and Wiki
Dakota Meyer was born on June 26, 1988, which makes him 36 years old in 2025. He gained national recognition for his extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Ganjgal in Afghanistan, where he became one of the youngest living Medal of Honor recipients. Meyer is not only admired for his military service but also for his contributions as a motivational speaker, author, and entrepreneur, determination to share his experience and inspire others.
| Occupation | Media Personalities |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 26, 1988 |
| Age | 36 Years |
| Birth Place | Columbia, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Dakota Meyer's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Dakota Meyer stands tall at approximately 6 feet (183 cm) and weighs around 210 lbs (95 kg). His fitness can be attributed to his rigorous military training and active lifestyle. His athletic build is complemented by a strong dedication to physical fitness, often participating in various endurance events.
"The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to CORPORAL DAKOTA L.
MEYER UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS For service as set forth in the following: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009.
Corporal Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point while other members of his team moved on foot with two platoons of Afghan National Army and Border Police into the village of Ganjgal for a pre-dawn meeting with village elders.
Moving into the village, the patrol was ambushed by more than 50 enemy fighters firing rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and machine guns from houses and fortified positions on the slopes above. Hearing over the radio that four U.S. team members were cut off, Corporal Meyer seized the initiative.
With a fellow Marine driving, Corporal Meyer took the exposed gunner's position in a gun-truck as they drove down the steeply terraced terrain in a daring attempt to disrupt the enemy attack and locate the trapped U.S. team.
Disregarding intense enemy fire now concentrated on their lone vehicle, Corporal Meyer killed a number of enemy fighters with the mounted machine guns and his rifle, some at near point blank range, as he and his driver made three solo trips into the ambush area.
During the first two trips, he and his driver evacuated two dozen Afghan soldiers, many of whom were wounded. When one machine gun became inoperable, he directed a return to the rally point to switch to another gun-truck for a third trip into the ambush area where his accurate fire directly supported the remaining U.S.
personnel and Afghan soldiers fighting their way out of the ambush. Despite a shrapnel wound to his arm, Corporal Meyer made two more trips into the ambush area in a third gun-truck accompanied by four other Afghan vehicles to recover more wounded Afghan soldiers and search for the missing U.S. team members.
Still under heavy enemy fire, he dismounted the vehicle on the fifth trip and moved on foot to locate and recover the bodies of his team members. Meyer's daring initiative and bold fighting spirit throughout the 6-hour battle significantly disrupted the enemy's attack and inspired the members of the combined force to fight on.
His unwavering courage and steadfast devotion to his U.S. and Afghan comrades in the face of almost certain death reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Dakota Meyer is in a committed relationship. He has been known to keep his personal life relatively private; however, he has occasionally shared glimpses of his dating life on social media. In the past, he was married to Bristol Palin, a public figure and television personality, but the couple divorced. Currently, he's focused on his relationship while maintaining a balance between his personal life and career.
On January 6, 2016, People reported that Meyer was the biological father of the child, and that Meyer had filed legal documents asking for joint legal and physical custody of the newborn and child support from Bristol Palin. In March of that year, Palin and Meyer reached an interim joint legal and physical custody agreement.
On May 23, exactly one year after they were originally to have wed, Palin and Meyer married. In December, Palin announced that she was expecting her third child, her second with Meyer. On May 8, 2017, she gave birth to a daughter.
Net Worth and Salary
Dakota Meyer has an estimated net worth of around $1 million. His income streams include public speaking engagements, book sales, and various investments. As a prominent figure, he commands a significant fee for speaking at events, which, combined with his entrepreneurial ventures, contributes to his financial success.
Career, Business and Investments
Following his military service, Dakota Meyer has ventured into various career paths, including public speaking and entrepreneurship. He authored a memoir titled "Into the Fire," which recounts his experiences during combat. Meyer has been involved in multiple business initiatives, leveraging his public persona to create a brand that emphasizes leadership, resilience, and overcoming adversity. He also invests in veteran-focused organizations and businesses that align with his values of service and community support.
When President Obama's staff called Meyer to set up a time for the president to inform him that he would be given the Medal of Honor, they were told Meyer was working at his construction job and were asked to call again during his lunch break. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in a ceremony on September 15, 2011.
When a White House staffer contacted Meyer to arrange the ceremony, Meyer asked if he could have a beer with the president and President Obama agreed to the request. He received an invitation to the White House to meet Obama in the afternoon before the ceremony.
Meyer also requested that when he was honored, simultaneous commemorative services should be held at other associated locations to honor the memory of his colleagues who died or were mortally wounded during the ambush and his rescue attempts.
Social Network
Dakota Meyer is active on several social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter, where he shares insights into his life, motivational content, and updates on his professional endeavors. His social networks serve not only to connect with fans and followers but also to raise awareness about issues affecting veterans and their families.
On November 6, 2010, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos, told reporters during a visit to Camp Pendleton, California that a living United States Marine had been nominated for the Medal of Honor.
Two days later, Marine Corps Times, an independent newspaper covering Marine Corps operations, reported that the unnamed person was Meyer, citing anonymous sources. CNN confirmed the story independently two days later.
Education
Dakota Meyer completed his education at the South Western High School in Kentucky before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. His experiences in the military shaped his perspective on discipline and leadership, which he now imparts through speaking engagements and mentorship programs for younger audiences.
In 2006, Dakota Meyer graduated from Green County High School. While at Green County High School he had walked up to a recruiting United States Marine Corps sergeant visiting from about an hour's drive away. The sergeant was sitting in the school's lunchroom and asked him what he planned to do after high school.
Meyer told the recruiter, "I'm going to go to college and play college football." The reply stung as the Marine sergeant said that he would do the same thing if he was Meyer because there was no way that he could become a Marine.
