Click to replay Thursday’s moving ceremony

JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the country’s newest Medal of Honor recipient should not be alive but thanks God that he is.

Obama says retired Cpl. William “Kyle” Carpenter faced down a hand grenade that is “one of the most awful weapons of war” to save a fellow Marine.

Obama says Carpenter’s heroism in that blink of an eye in Afghanistan in 2010 “will inspire for generations.” Carpenter was severely injured in the blast, including the loss of sight in his right eye.

Obama says Carpenter flat-lined three times while doctors tended to him after the blast. He recognized Carpenter’s medical team at a ceremony in the White House East Room.

Obama presented the 24-year-old with the eighth Medal of Honor given to a survivor for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.