Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Carpenter

Then-Staff Sgt. Carpenter and his squad were in a convoy performing reconnaissance and surveillance patrols on Oct. 6, 2005, when the lead vehicle was hit. Carpenter sectioned off the area around the damaged vehicle, which had veered off the road and crashed into a building. Unable to reach his headquarters on the vehicle’s radio, Carpenter called in the situation using his cell phone. He directed the pickup and transport of the injured soldiers, and also led his team to extract the wounded and dead from the disabled vehicle. His immediate response saved the lives of two severely injured soldiers. For his actions and leadership, Carpenter received the Bronze Star Medal in August 2006.