photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea/3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B PAO Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, left, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, awards the Bronze Star Medal with valor to Sgt. James Carter Jr., Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Abn. Div., Multi-National Division — Baghdad, May 22 at Joint Security Station Loyalty.

Medic shows courage in combat

by Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
3rd BCT, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B PAO

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 while on combat missions during one of the most volatile times in Iraq during his last tour.

Now, as a noncommissioned officer, the St. Robert, Mo., native takes pride in teaching junior medics the responsibilities of the job.
“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 July 17, 2007.

While serving as a platoon medic with Co. D, 2nd Bn., 505th PIR, 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 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 to extract the trapped personnel. As a result of the attack, two of the EOD members were killed in action, however Sgt. Carter was able to save one member of the team.

For his actions in Samarra, Carter was presented the Bronze Star Medal with valor device, May 22, by Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, commander, 82nd Abn. Div.

Carter credits his fellow paratroopers for allowing him to do his job during that stressful situation.
“They were right there with me pulling security while I worked to save lives,” he said. “I owe a lot to them because I couldn’t have done it on my own.”

“Sergeant 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, 2nd Bn., 505th PIRegt. “Sergeant 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, serving two tours in Vietnam.

Along with his valorous award, Carter was recently selected as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team’s medic of the year.