Martha Raddatz: A Soldier Fights for Life

Editor’s Note: Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz reports on Lieutenant Colonel Tim Karcher, who lost both his legs this week when his vehicle was bombed near Baghdad’s notorious Sadr City neighborhood. A vivid reminder on this day when US forces hand control of Iraqi cities and towns over to Iraqi command, that the war is far from over.  I keep looking at the pictures I took of Lt. Colonel Tim Karcher a few months ago in Sadr City, Iraq. Even though we are walking through alleyways of raw sewage and rotting vegetables, Karcher has a soft smile on his face in every shot. In the interview we did he is optimistic, but realistic about Iraq’s future. No spin.   Now this big bear of a man is lying in a hospital bed fighting for his life, both his legs blown off above the knees. It breaks my heart, and judging from the tons of emails I have received from soldiers, reporters and others who knew him, many feel the same.  LTC Karcher was on his 3rd deployment to Iraq. He felt a profound responsibility to his soldiers, and two years ago despite a gunshot wound to his shoulder that ripped out much of his deltoid muscle, he fought hard to get back to the point where he could return to his soldiers. He said he felt guilty if they were in the fight and he was not.  He also profoundly loves his family — his wife and daughters aged 14, 12 and 9.  This is going to be so devastating to that family, but I know Tim will do his best to make it easy on his wife and kids, and they will support him at every stage. I know right now that the strong Army community is gathering around that family in any way they can.  I have covered the First Cavalry Division on all three deployments to Iraq….particulary the 2/5 Cav which Karcher commands. I also learned of a tragic follow-up to Tim’s injury. After his command sgt major (the senior enlisted soldier) left the combat support hospital where Tim was treated, his convoy hit an EFP (explosive formed projectile) — those terrible Iranian made shape charges that are so deadly. Several men were injured, though it is unclear how seriously. This just after their commander was so terribly wounded. Keep them all in your thoughts. Update:  After this post, Martha spoke with Karcher's wife.  Click here to see what she had to say.