Narrative to accompany the award of the Silver Star to Spc. Michael D. Carter - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Narrative to accompany the award of the Silver Star to Spc. Michael D. Carter

Specialist Michael D. Carter, United States (US) Army, heroically distinguished himself by valorous conduct in the face of the enemy of the US as Combat Cameraman attached to Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 3336, Special Operations Task Force — 33, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

On 6 April 2008, Specialist Carter heroically fought for over an hour up a mountain while under intense Insurgent fire to help rescue wounded members of the ODA and Afghan Commandos who were pinned down.

Specialist Carter was in a wadi and under heavy sniper, Rocket Propelled Grenade, small arms and machine gun fire after initial contact, as the ODA Command and Control (C2) element was fixed by multiple Insurgent firing positions on the mountain.

Specialist Carter immediately returned fire on Insurgent locations, exposing himself to an intense volume of fire while killing multiple Insurgent fighters and providing suppressive fire as the ODA Commander recovered the body of their dead interpreter.

Bullets continued to impact mere inches to his left and his right, critically wounding two ODA members.

With complete disregard for his safety, Specialist Carter left his covered position and charged 15 feet into Insurgent fire providing suppressive fire and recovering a critically wounded detachment member.

Recovering the critically wounded Soldier, Specialist Carter immediately began rendering life saving aid and continued to suppress Insurgent positions threatening to overrun their element.

Specialist Carter once again exposed himself as he ran across open ground under intense Insurgent fire to recover a Satellite Communications Radio.

Upon returning to the ODA Commander’s position, he assisted him in operating the radio, while continually providing suppressive fire on numerous Insurgent positions.

His actions allowed the ODA Commander to re-establish communication with higher headquarters, and aided in directing Close Air Support strikes (CAS) onto Insurgent positions attempting to maneuver on their location.

As the six and a half hour battle progressed, Specialist Carter proceeded to administer life saving aid to two ODA members, allowing the detachment medic to render aid to the ten wounded Afghan Commandos.

His actions further enabled the ODA to direct danger CAS and engage Insurgent positions with suppressive fire against insurgents attempting to maneuver on their position.

When Insurgent fighters closed within 40 feet and the position was about to be overrun, he courageously exposed himself and engaged Insurgent fighters with suppressive fire to stem their advance and disrupt their ability to overtake their position.

With danger close air strikes impacting less than 100 meters from his position, Specialist Carter shielded casualties from falling debris and assisted in an extremely dangerous and courageous rescue of more than six casualties down a near vertical 60 foot cliff.

Specialist Carter’s poise under fire and valorous acts allowed the patrol to conduct a Medical Evacuation for their wounded and dead comrades.

His actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military heroism and reflect distinct credit upon himself, Special Operations Task Force — 33, the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force — Afghanistan, Special Operations Command Central, and the United States Army.