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Medal of Honor for Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter

Thursday August 22, 2013

What is it?

Staff Sgt. Ty Michael Carter will receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor, from President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony today.

What is the Army doing?

The Army Public Affairs has created a website to honor Staff Sgt. Carter. The Warrior Ethos instilled in Soldiers by the U.S. Army is clearly highlighted in a visual representation of Staff Sgt. Carter’s heroic actions in Combat Outpost (COP) Keating, Afghanistan.

The Warrior Ethos in action:

Carter, a cavalry scout with Bravo Troop, 3-61 Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is receiving the award for his actions at COP Keating in Kamdesh District, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan on Oct. 3, 2009.

In the early morning hours of Oct 3, 2009, Staff Sgt. Carter awakened on the COP to a coordinated, complex attack by an estimated 300 enemy fighters. The enemy struck Keating with a magnitude unseen since Coalition Forces toppled the Taliban eight years earlier.

During the 13-hour battle, Carter ran multiple times through a gauntlet of enemy fire to resupply ammunition, provided life-extending aid to a battle buddy pinned down in an expose position and carried the critically wounded Soldier to a covered position. Carter also braved the gauntlet to recover the squad’s radio, which enabled the evacuation of the wounded Soldier. Throughout, Carter continued to defend the post’s southern position along with Staff Sgt. Bradley Larson. Together they placed deadly fire on the enemy, beating back the assault and preventing the enemy from overrunning the COP’s southern flank.

Why is this important to the Army?

Staff Sgt. Carter’s actions embody the Army Profession, the Army Values and the Warrior Ethos - Never Leave a Fallen Comrade. In addition, his skills as a highly-trained professional enabled him to defend the country, the Constitution and the American people - a tremendous responsibility that all Soldiers carry.

What does the Army have planned for the future?

In addition to today’s White House ceremony, Army senior leaders will recognize Staff Sgt. Carter, his family and friends during a Hall of Heroes Induction ceremony at the Pentagon, scheduled for August 27.

As the recipient of the Medal of Honor award, Staff Sgt. Carter plans to speak to Soldiers and the American public about his personal experience of post traumatic stress and his own recovery from the invisible wounds war.

Resources:

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