Thurston grad serving in Afghanistan loses foot to IED injuries

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - A hometown soldier injured in an IED attack in Afghanistan has lost his right foot and ankle to his injuries.

2001 Thurston High School graduate David Carpenter, 29, was injured Aug. 20, 2012, when a pair of improvised explosive devices hit his transport vehicle in Wardak Province.

Specialist Carpenter and two other soldiers were injured in the attack. He was in Afghanistan serving with the 173rd Infantry STB Alpha Company.

Carpenter is now at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where he will likely spend the next year in rehabilitation for his injury. Doctors recently had to amputate Carpenter's right foot and ankle due to his injuries.

Carpenter told KVAL News he doesn't consider himself a hero: he was just doing his job, is proud to service his country and would do it all again - no regrets.

Tom Adams from KVAL News spoke to Carpenter and one of the injured soldier's close family friends for a story set to air Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, on KVAL News.