The Battle of Ganjgal (Afghanistan, 2009)

Dakota Meyer, a 21-year-old Marine Corporal at the time (later promoted to Sergeant), made multiple trips into the ambush zone in a Humvee, manning the vehicle’s turret. Under intense rifle and RPG fire, he navigated the kill zone to evacuate wounded Afghan soldiers and search for missing Americans. With each trip, he braced himself for the onslaught of incoming rounds. Stoics teach the importance of focusing on what one can control—Meyer could not control the enemy’s fire, but he could control his own resolve, marksmanship, and driving.