Army Staff Sergeant awarded Medal of Honor for action in Afghanistan

Military Times:

Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter will receive the Medal of Honor, the White House announced July 26, making him the second soldier to be honored with the nation’s highest valor award for actions during a fierce October 2009 battle in Afghanistan.

The ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 26 at the White House. Carter will be inducted into the Pentagon Hall of Heroes Aug. 27.

Carter, who was a scout assigned to B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is credited with braving fierce enemy fire to treat and carry a fellow soldier to safety during one of the largest, most vicious battles against U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

He will be the fifth living service member to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan or Iraq. Seven service members have posthumously been awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in those wars.

Carter’s troop-mate, former Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha, received the Medal of Honor during a ceremony Feb. 11.

Both men were part of a small American force at Combat Outpost Keating in eastern Afghanistan on Oct. 3, 2009, when an enemy force estimated to number more than 300 attacked the COP, intent on overrunning the outnumbered U.S. forces.

Eight Americans were killed and about two dozen others were wounded, but the soldiers defeated the enemy and saved the COP.

Carter, who said he is feeling “very nervous” about receiving the Medal of Honor, downplayed his actions.

“It wasn’t just me,” he said. “Everyone pulled through. They all performed excellently, bravely.

“I really wish there was some way that I could share the prestige and the honor of this medal with them, and not to mention the families of the fallen,” he said. “In the end, they probably deserve this medal more than I do because of the losses that they received.”

Several other soldiers at COP Keating that day have been honored for their actions. According to Army Times’ reporting and the book “The Outpost,” by journalist Jake Tapper, at least nine soldiers were awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for valor.
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Carter is recovering from PTSD following injuries sustained in the battle.  Carter earlier spent time as a Marine before joining the Army.  Jake Tapper did a good job of making the bravery of the troops at COP Keating known to the world.  They were put in an untenable position and refused artillery support that was needed to rebuff the attack.