BAGHDAD - For Sgt. James Carter, his Iraq experience this time around is shaped by his experiences during his first tour in 2006.
As a line medic, the 33-year-old from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, was credited for saving the lives of his fellow Paratroopers during combat missions during one of the most violate times in Iraq during his last tour.
Now, as a non-commissioned officer, the St. Robert, Mo. native takes pride in teaching junior medics the responsibilities of the job. It is a change he welcomes.
"As an NCO, my role has changed in that now I am the teacher, and I try to incorporate realistic, tough training to prepare our medics for the great responsibility of being 'Doc'," he said.
It was that realistic training that gave Carter the skills he needed during an escort mission on July 17, 2007.
While serving as a platoon medic with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the company was conducting an explosive ordnance disposal escort mission along a major supply route in Samarra, Iraq.
During this patrol, a massive improvised explosive device detonated inside a culvert, causing a catastrophic effect under a U.S. Navy EOD vehicle. The enormous explosion threw the vehicle high into the air, causing it to land on its side; trapping the three Navy EOD personnel inside.
Carter risked his life by entering the burning vehicle in order to extract the trapped personnel. As a result of the attack, two of the EOD members were killed in action, however Sgt. Carter's was able to save one member of the team in an act of true bravery.
For his actions in Samarra, Carter was presented the Bronze Star Medal with valor device, May 22, by the 82nd Airborne Division commander, Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, while visiting troops deployed to Baghdad.
Carter credits his fellow Paratroopers for allowing him to do his job under the most stressful of situations.
"They were right there with me pulling security while I worked to save lives," he said. "I own a lot to them because I couldn't have done it on my own."
"Sgt. Carter represents the very best of the 2nd Panther Team and the Army. He displayed selfless-service by entering the burning vehicle multiple times embodying the spirit of the Army Values," said Lt. Col. Louis Zeisman, commander of the 2nd Bn., 505th Parachute Inf. Regt., of Fayetteville, N.C. "Sgt. Carter's actions truly define the meaning of a hero."
Life in uniform is nothing new in Carter's family. His father served in the Marine Corps and then the Army. Carter's father also served two tours during the Vietnam conflict.
Along with his valorous award, Carter was recently selected as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team's Medic of the Year during a board held in Baghdad.
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