and in the words of james layton mom, they can lay their sons to rest with dignity. >> reporter: but dakota, a kentucky native feels he is undeserving of all the recognition. >> i'm definitely not a hero. that's the furthest thing from the truth. >> reporter: september 8, 2009. afghan army battalion supported by u.s. soldiers and the meyer fellow marines were ambushed. then corporal meyer requested by radio to go help them. he was ordered to stay back and disobeyed orders. >> we're going to go in there or die trying, you know. that's how it is. that is your brothers in there. >> reporter: meyer and staff sergeant juan rodriguez chavez rescued u.s. and afghan troops , provideed cover to allow dozens to escape. they returned five times searching for members of meyer's own team. when found them, they were all dead. >> i went in there to bring the guys out alive. that was my mission. i didn't bring them out alive