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Tim Karcher - Unsung American Hero
By Richard S. Lowry
Last Sunday, two days before American troops were to pull out of all Iraqi cities, LTC Tim Karcher was patrolling the Baghdad streets with his men of 2-5 Cavalry. Karcher was riding ‘shotgun’ in our military’s safest infantry vehicle, a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP), when they were attacked.
An Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) pierced the armor, took both of Colonel Karcher’s legs off, above the knees and killed his driver. Karcher’s men rushed to his aid. They strapped his thighs with tourniquets and raced him to the closest medical facility. He was initially treated and then flown to Balad where surgeons labored to keep him alive. Once stabilized, he was flown to Landstuhl, Germany were he remains today.
Colonel Karcher is one of thousands of unsung American heroes. It is men like him that have made it possible for us to celebrate this American Independence Day. Tim Karcher is one of the best of the best. He is a “Jedi Knight,” a graduate of the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS). Last year, during an interview, I asked him about being an alumnus of such a prestigious school. He said, “I guess we can wield a laser pointer better than most.” As most great Americans, he is a humble man. But, don’t let his modesty fool you. He is a warrior. He has fought in the fiercest battles of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As the 2-7 Battalion Operations Officer S3, he and Colonel Jim Rainey fought alongside US Marines in the battles of Najaf and Fallujah. On his next deployment, he was shot in the shoulder in one of the most dangerous cities in Iraq – Baqubah.
And, now this.
Today, above all days, we need to honor this man. He will tell you that he was just doing his job. What we all need to understand is that his job is the protection of every one of us. He has risked life and limb for our well being, for our childrens' well being. He is a gracious gentleman, loving family man, and beloved leader. Now, both he and his family need our support
Now is the time for us to come to his aid. I will keep you posted on Colonel Karcher’s status and in my next post, I will let you know how we can help the Karcher Family. Now it is your turn to "Support Our Troops."
Richard S. Lowry is the author of Marines in the Garden of Eden and The Gulf War Chronicles.
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Comments
LTC Karcher is indeed a hero. He is also the kind of man you'd want as a friend, father, or husband. He is the "real deal". Guts, honesty, selflessness, duty, humility, all these describe this great American. Pray for his recovery and for his family. Also pray for the family of Tim's driver who lost his life.
Colonel Melody, I would like to take this opportunity to underscore your comments.
Lieutenant Colonel Karcher was my company commander back when I was in Hohenfels, Germany in 1997. He was truly one of the most professional officers I have ever had the privilege of working for. It was a joy to work for him, and I am a better man for having known him.
This is terrible news (I learned of this a few days ago from friends), but I am happy that he is still alive. He and his family have some tough days ahead and I will pray for them (as well as for the family of his driver).
The nation is a better place having men like Lieutenant Colonel Tim "Bull" Karcher defending it.
Shane
P.S. The commenter Paul Melody is Colonel Paul Melody (U.S. Army retired), and he was LTC Karcher's battalion commander in Hohenfels many years ago. I had the honor of working for both of these men during my tenure there. These men were extremely influential in my own professional growth and development.
UPDATE
By now LTC Tim Karcher should be back in the United States. He left Germany earlier today.
Unsung no more-- thanks for spreading the word. God bless him and his family, and his driver.
Tim is truly our best. A leader devoted to his men and got the same loyalty returned always. Multiple combat tours and continually keeping himself in harm's way, courageously leading his troopers. Not a unique story in our Army, but Tim towers over all.
My thoughts and prayers to Tim and his family during his recovery. I know when these hard months are past he will remain a force in life. It is my privilege to know him.
ps. Many of us have served under the wise and very able leadership of Paul Melody, who made sure we were ALL set up for success in our futures.
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It is men like this that have kept this country free and strong since it's beginning. Never asking more than a " thank you" and a pat on the back. Well they all deserve more than this and this man, even though he deserves more, is the type that would say that thier just doing their job. It's more than a job it's a mind set.