Obama says Carter "displayed the essence of true heroism." The October 3, 2009, battle occurred while Carter was stationed at Command Outpost Keating. US troops were vastly outnumbered by 400 Taliban fighters.
In February, Obama bestowed the Medal of Honor on another survivor of that firefight, former Staff Sgt. Clinton Romesha.
Eight soldiers died in the battle. Carter killed Afghan fighters, rendered first aid and saved a soldier's life. Carter still suffers post-traumatic stress syndrome and helps troops with their recovery.