Fallbrook man killed in Iraq
By: TOM PFINGSTEN - Staff Writer
Navy SEAL Mark Carter, 27, died Tuesday | ∞
FALLBROOK ---- Friends of a decorated Navy SEAL who grew up in Fallbrook and died in Iraq this week described him as a quiet, athletic young man whose dream was to join the elite Sea Air Land commandos after high school.
Chief Petty Officer Mark T. Carter, 27, was killed "while conducting combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom," the Navy said in a press release Thursday. Navy officials declined to elaborate.
As a SEAL, Carter earned a long list of honors, including two bronze stars with "V" for valor, a Joint Service Commendation Medal with "V" and various other awards for achievement, combat and good conduct.
He is survived by his father, Tom, and mother, Cindy, along with three brothers and four sisters. Carter's family moved to Northern California, and efforts to contact them were unsuccessful Thursday.
Jonathan Moffat, who grew up with Carter and was a year ahead of him in school, said he was interested in anything that had to do with Navy SEALs or the military.
"I can remember playing paintball with him, and he'd always be the one hiding in the grass, or making cover out of potato sacks," said Moffat, 28, who now lives in Los Angeles but went to school and church with Carter in Fallbrook. "He always took it one step further. Ever since I can remember, he had Navy SEAL posters up on the wall of his room."
He added that Carter was well-liked within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fallbrook, where his family attended.
Carter enlisted in the Navy after graduating from Fallbrook High in 1998. He volunteered for SEAL training in Coronado in 1999 and served with two West Coast SEAL teams until 2004, when he was assigned to an East Coast-based team, said Naval Special Warfare spokesman Lt. David Luckett.
Carter was stationed at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Norfolk, Va., at the time of his deployment in Iraq.
Beth Moffat, a friend of the Carters when they lived in Fallbrook, said the tightknit Mormon community in Fallbrook has been hit hard by the news of Carter's death.
"I think we're all very sad, and he'll be missed," she said. "But we believe we'll be with him and see him again. It doesn't make the pain any less, but it certainly gives you hope."
Growing up, Carter was pleasant and focused, said Beth Moffat.
"He was an outstanding young man," she said, adding that his making the SEAL program was not a surprise. "His goal in life was to be a Navy SEAL ---- that's all he ever wanted to do."
In a Navy press release, Carter's commanding officer, who was not identified, was quoted calling Carter an "outstanding SEAL, teammate, and great American."
"His ultimate sacrifice, the most noble act for any American warrior, is our tragic loss and I urge those who knew him to honor his life, in the best way we know how," said the unnamed officer, according to the Navy.
Contact staff writer Tom Pfingsten at (760) 740-3516 or tpfingsten@nctimes.com.
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Another sad death wrote on Dec 14, 2007 9:29 AM:pointless death for "bush's" personal / financial war.
Marcie wrote on Dec 16, 2007 9:59 AM:Please don't label this a "pointless death". Whatever your political views, think about the family's grief. My thoughts and prayers are with you Tom, Cindy, and family. I remember Mark only as a small boy who used to light up Tom's eyes (as all his children did) when they entered his office. Our deepest sympathy. Paul, Marcie, John and Peter
Dusty wrote on Dec 17, 2007 5:55 AM:How dare anyone call this a pointless death. You want to criticize the politicians you go for. As far as the brave men and women who guard the fence line for us, you need to learn a little respect for them and their families who are making these sacrifices. Shame on you for your comment.!! My condolences to the Carter family and thank you for raising such a fine man in Mark. One of the best of the best.
MD wrote on Dec 17, 2007 8:06 AM:I'll be sure to tell my husband who served alongside this brave American that you think his death was pointless. I invite you to stand in front of the troops if you don't want to stand behind them.
Donna wrote on Dec 18, 2007 7:22 PM:Why did NCTimes take all the blogs down from the 14th and 15th, except that one politcal one?... PS. MD, loved your comment!
Richard wrote on Dec 19, 2007 4:22 PM:To... who called this mans sacrafice & Our Countrys loss a pointless death. There is a saying which goes "You can hate the war, But DO NOT hate the Warriors" And another quote from the past "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it." - Jack Nicholson (A Few Good Men) R.I.P CPO Carter From A Fellow C.P.O ( Retired )
Bruce wrote on Dec 27, 2007 4:52 AM: I don't think that they are saying that he died for nothing, but that maybe if Washington had it together, it could have been avoided. I have friends in the Teams that have died, and at times I feel that the purpose that they were utilized for was pointless, not that however what they did on an individual level was pointless. Unfortunately they enforce the policy, not write it. So when looking at what they did, we need to approach it as such. No one wants to feel it was for nothing, and at a tactical level it never is. But strategically, that’s a different story. Condolence to the family, for their loss, and the nations loss of an extraordinary individual.
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