Staff sergeant stationed at JBLM to receive Medal of Honor for bravery in Afghanistan

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — When Staff Sgt. Ty Carter talks about the events of Oct. 3, 2009, his voice still breaks with emotion.

Carter, 33 was still a specialist that day when the outpost in the Nuristan Province, Afghanistan, was attacked by an overwhelming amount of Taliban fighters numbering close to 400. Carter was one of 54 soldiers defending the post

"When I first went out through the door of my barracks, concrete, sand, everything was spitting back at me because of the rounds coming in," Carter said during a news conference at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Monday. "That was our home, that was our place. You defend it and if we couldn't do that, there was nothing you could do about it."

On Aug. 26, Carter will receive the military's highest commendation, the Medal of Honor, for bravery and valor because of his actions in Afghanistan that day.

According to the Army's record of the battle that day, Carter repeatedly braved heavy gunfire to retrieve ammunition and supplies for fellow soldiers during the 12-hour battle. He also placed his own life at risk in an effort to save a fallen comrade mortally wounded during the firefight.

Carter's wife, Shannon, sat at his side as he answered reporters' questions. She said hearing about the ferocity of the combat her husband faced is still terrifying.

"It's scary, it was overwhelming to hear what they all experienced that day," said Shannon Carter. "He blows my mind every day, just every little thing. I couldn't be more blessed to have such a wonderful husband."

Carter spoke openly about experiencing and struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder after his combat experience and said he now hopes to work with the Warrior Transition Battalion to help fellow soldiers returning from the war who are also dealing with PTSD.

"The Army treats is as if it's a combat wound, because it is a combat wound. It's something that needs time to heal," said Carter.