Hero Pfc. Jason Carten insists he was "just doing my job"

Courtesy photo
U.S. Army Pfc. Jason Carten graduated from Oakridge High School in 1999. He was awarded the Bronze Star for fighting off insurgents in Iraq in a firefight on May 22, 2007.

U.S. Army Pfc. Jason Carten insists he was "just doing my job, ma'am."

But the U.S. Army begs to differ with the 28-year-old Muskegon soldier who, despite his humble assessment of courage under fire on the battlefields of Iraq, recently was awarded a Bronze Star with a "V" for valor. The Bronze Star is the fourth highest military combat award.

On May 22, 2007, Carten fought off insurgents during an "intense" 22-minute firefight, allowing medical personnel to evacuate a wounded soldier.

"I was just doing what I was supposed to do," Carten said. "I was doing what I needed to do."


Carten, who graduated from Oakridge High School in 1999, currently is recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury at Fort Carson, Col. He was exposed to as many as 100 improvised explosive device detonations during his 13-month deployment to Iraq.

Carten enlisted in the Army on March 2, 2006, and was assigned to the 72nd Engineers, 1st Engineer Battalion. He was deployed to FOB Warhorse in Baqubah, Iraq, as a trailblazer in September 2006.

Within the first four months of his deployment, Carten was involved in more than 20 engagements with the enemy with eight confirmed kills and more than 50 IED discoveries and detonations, according to information reported at his Bronze Star ceremony.

Carten braved enemy fire to help rescue fellow soldiers on at least three occasions.

Lt. General Eric Schoomaker, the Army's Surgeon General, presented the Bronze Star to Carten at Fort Carson, Col., on April 29. Carten has also received three ARCOM -- Army Commendation Medals -- for his heroism. He is expected to receive the Purple Heart, awarded for his injuries, soon.
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