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| More than a Pair of Dog Tags |
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Trustee's Son Lost in Iraq
by Michael Costello
CW3 Mitchell Carter
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Name, social security number, blood type and religious preference are what most people see when a soldier returns home in a flag-covered casket. However, there is always so much more to be said. Mitchell Carver Jr. was very much more than a pair of dog tags.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mitchell Carver grew up in Leicester, North Carolina, and graduated from Erwin High School in 1992. Those who knew him say he always had a smile on his face and was always upbeat. He died in Iraq January 13 when his helicopter was shot down. He is the son of Mars Hill trustee Kyle Carver and his wife Judy.
After attending the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and the University of Colorado, he went into the warrant officer program.
His father says Mitchell had wanted to fly since he was seven years old. He wasted no time in the Army; his father says that as a test pilot he become an instructor to the test pilots.
Carver was sent to Iraq in 2003 at the start of the war, soon to be the spearhead operation that led to the very first victories. He flew a 58 Kiowa reconnaissance helicopter for the 3rd Infantry Division.
Carver's close friend Steve Almason says that Carver had a deep love for God and for his country - as said in the Army, "Pro Deo et Patria, For God and Country."
Kiowas over Mosul - U.S. Army photo
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His family and friends describe him in words like, "If you ever met him, you'd of felt like you knew him your whole life" and "The man knew no strangers." He was a heavy NASCAR fan. Almason remembers that his favorite driver always seemed to change, but never was his favorite a "Chevy driver." He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, rifle and pistol shooting, and loved woodworking. Carver and Almason met through Almason's wife, a captain in the JAG corps. She knew a girl that Carver was dating at the time.
Almason said that Carver believed in the cause for the war in Iraq so much that after returning from his first tour there he volunteered to return to Iraq to "take care of his brothers overseas." Although friends and family did not hear from him as much as they would have liked, they say Carver's e-mails were always upbeat. Almason noted that Mitchell Carver's impact on his life was so deep and touching that he named his own son Joey Mitchell Almason.
Carver's father, Kyle, a 1969 graduate of Mars Hill College, is a member of the board of trustees. He has served the college in a number of capacities for almost 29 years and is currently on the Student Life Committee.
He remembers that when Mitchell last came home on leave, he drove from Alabama to New York visiting as many friends as possible. The father felt a note of concern because he felt as if Mitchell was paying his last visits, "like it might be the last time he saw them." He remembers with a sense of pride and awe that the very day the news of Mitchell's death reached them, Newfound Baptist Church received his tithe check.
A family reception and viewing at the church on the afternoon of Friday, January 20, drew hundreds of mourners, including Carver's close friend and co-pilot CW2 Gabriel Torney.
He described Mitchell as calm in the cockpit, always cool, even when getting shot at or in a sticky situation. He noted that Carver was an excellent pilot and commented once under fire, "There is no way we are going to get hit that way you are flying."
He recalled a mission near Najaf. "We were looking for a Bradley. There were wires everywhere, and he would fly under them. All of a sudden we received warning that we were under laser indication (being targeted), and he turned in a way that broke the lock, missed the wires and spotted the target all at once." Torney said Carver was relaxed off duty and that he greatly respected all soldiers, including those of the lower enlisted grades. "His skills kept me alive during the entire invasion."
Pastor Mark Bell of Newfound Baptist Church described Mitchell as "a strong Christian and always in good spirit." Bell said Mitchell's sister-in-law begged him not to return to Iraq. "However, he pointed to his niece and nephew and said, 'I have to go back for them.'"
Captain Raby, who was coordinating funeral events, said the Friday night viewing at the church would be the "slow day" compared to numbers expected to attend the memorial service scheduled for Trinity Baptist Church in West Asheville at 2 p.m. Saturday.
CW3 Mitchell Carver will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. in full honor. Brigadier General Terry will give a folded flag to the family. There will be a full procession of the highest honor for Mitchell Carver, including the playing of "Taps" as well as a 21-gun salute.
The Army has recognized CW3 Carver for service, merit, commitment and valor. His awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Valor device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Medal, NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge, according to a January 20 report in the Asheville Citizen-Times.
Editor's note: The Hilltop reporter who covered this story, Michael Costello, joined the Army Reserves as a student at Mars Hill College in May of 2004, and was called up shortly afterward. He returned to the college this January after duty in Kuwait and Iraq.
Reader Comment:
Kat Stadler - Junior, 1/21/2006, 6:34:11 p.m.
What a touching story. This is the type of person that strikes pride into my heart. Our soldiers are the heroes of America, and this article did them justice.
Matt Welch - Freshman, 1/21/2006, 5:36:50 p.m.
This is a very touching story of a life lived well. The man knew his priorities and faced life with courage. I wish we were all that brave. Great writing!
Marcia Bosworth1/25/2006, 8:10:01 p.m.
Mitchell, as I knew him, was a beautiful boy who grew into a beautiful man. I cannot imagine the loss his family feels.
LaLaina Minnick-Jones, 2/23/2006, 8:22 p.m.
I knew Mr.Carver from 3-7 Cav at Ft.Stewart. I first met him at Ft.Polk in preparation for us to go to Bosnia. Although we became friends, there was still the professional courtesy in all of our encounters. Mr.Carver possessed more integrity than any other person I've ever encountered and this article beautifully portrayed the decent, professional, calm-natured man I knew. My sympathy to his family, friends and all of those who never had the chance to be touched by his presence.
Jacob Nelson, 2/26/2006, 10:59 p.m.
Costello: you are writing some good stuff, especially the piece on Chief Carver. I went to basic training with you and am now stationed at Fort Bragg. Keep up the good work. -Jake(stinky)
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