so i failed. reporter: back at his high school in columbia, kentucky, meyer would not have been forecast as medal of honor recipient. by his own admission he was not an ideal student. he didn t go with the blow. any troubles that dakota had when he was young, the coach at green county high school said it s because he thought for himself. the coach spotted it out here on the practice field and called it leadership. he was always a lone ranger. i always said she a guy that was on his own and wanted to improve and be the best he could bo at all times. reporter: that lone ranger attitude came in to play in afghanistan. that s why his retired marine grandfather will use the word hero. he handled everything all the way up through his life. i just can t say how proud i am of him. that independent thinking explains why when dakota was asked if he had any requests while in d.c. he requested a beer with the commander in chief. meyer has left the marines and tried to move past what he