President Obama will award Army Staff Sergeant Ty Michael Carter the Medal of Honor on August 26 for his heroic acts during battle in Afghanistan.
Carter, who now lives in Antioch, California, will become just the fifth living recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The American Forces Press Service reports Carter is being recognized for his actions during the six hour battle to save Combat Outpost Keating in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province on Oct. 3, 2009. Carter was serving as a cavalry scout with the 4th Infantry Division’s Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.
Click here to read the U.S. Army's official narrative of Carter's heroic actions.
According to a White House news release, the Medal of Honor is awarded to service members who display "conspicuous gallantry" while engaged in military operations:
The meritorious conduct must involve great personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his or her comrades and must have involved risk of life. There must be incontestable proof of the performance of the meritorious conduct, and each recommendation for the award must be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.
Carter, 33, is married to wife Shannon. The couple has three children: Jayden, Madison, and Sehara.
