By Ed Snyder/Outdoors
Braving enemy fire to occupy a critical firing position the young soldier engaged and neutralized six insurgents at close range. Then the soldier, still under relentless fire, ran into a burning vehicle to retrieve an automatic weapon to successfully defend his platoon’s position, bringing great credit to himself, and to the 1st Calvary Division. Meet Clayton Carver, 1st Calvary vet, family man, wounded warrior, hero, and avid bass angler. The Killeen, TX, native, and former Fort Hood soldier, was here on Lake Sam Rayburn to pre-fish for an upcoming BASSMaster Weekend Series tournament.

Spending a day on the lake with him, this writer and former Marine enjoyed the camaraderie that only comes from two veterans having fun and catching bass together. We were fishing the lower end of “Big Sam” looking for a pattern that could possibly put a winning weight on the weekender scale, and hopefully, some cash and tournament points in Clayton’s tackle pack. Clayton, a Bronze Star w/valor and Purple Heart recipient, with eight active duty years with two Iraqi deployments under his belt, has already won the exceptional “Tuff Man” event and the weekend warriors “Fishing for Freedom” tournament.

(Awarded the Bronze Star in 2004, Clayton Carver was recognized for his bravery as reported here in his medal certificate.)

Specialist Clayton W. Carver, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Calvary Regiment for valorous acts of heroism while assigned as a rifleman on a combat patrol in Sadr City, Baghdad Iraq. Specialist Carver boldly moved under enemy fire to occupy a critical firing position which allowed him to engage and destroy six insurgents at close range. His personal courage in recovering a machine gun from a burning vehicle while under enemy fire allowed his platoon to successfully defend its battle position. Specialist Carver’s actions and inspiring example under fire bring great credit upon himself, the First Calvary Division, and the Untied States Army.

“My goal and dream is to win a seat at the BASSMasters World Classic, stated a very determined Clayton. And hopefully I’m well on my way to doing just that. I was fishing with Killeen TX, teammate Joshua Brown on Lake Belton last October 26th when we won Texas Marine’s “Tuff Man” tournament with 5 bass/15.86 lbs, winning $2,500 for 1st place after competing against 109 teams in that event. Then I was teamed up with Bass/pro legend Gary Klein, of Weatherford, TX, for the “Fishing for Freedom” event competing against 250 other teams. Gary provided me with an absolute treasure of bass fishing info, Clayton enlightened, teaching me how to pattern the bass on a lake that he had never been to before. Belton, a deepwater lake, had most anglers fishing deep patterns, but Gary found our fish in very shallow water where no one else was looking, where we managed to catch over 15 lbs of bass taking 1st place for the “Fishing for Freedom” event, and winning a fully rigged Triton/Mercury Bass Boat w/Motor Guide Trolling Motor and Lowrance electronics.

“My first dream of winning a bass boat was now realized, Clayton stated, now for getting to the BASSMaster Classic. I understand that it’s going to take determination, dedication, and great skill to make it there, but my military experiences have given me the will to succeed and accomplishing those goals and

Married with four children, Clayton enjoys spending time with his wife, Dyan, 9 year old twins Harlan and Shuan and daughters Caytlon (4) and Graylen (2) in Killeen, TX. But all of that almost came to an abrupt end in Baquba Iraq in 2006. “While posted in an Iraqi police station my company suddenly came under attack by insurgents, Clayton painfully recalled, moving upstairs to help repel the attack, I quickly realized that a sniper had us pinned down. Moving along a wall to find a good firing position I spotted three insurgents sneaking into our compound. After shooting two of them and aiming for the third the sniper spotted me and put a round into the wall next to my head blasting concrete fragments into my face. Dropping down I thought, “MAN, I’ve got to get that third guy before he opens up on my buddies. But as I moved into position to fire on him the insurgent shot off an RPG (rocket propelled grenade)!! I ducked but the hairs on my neck bristled and gritting my teeth I knew what was about to happen would happen. The RPG hit my back exploding shards of hot metal into my body. The force of the blast rolled me across the roof and I lost consciousness. But my Helmut and flack vest had saved my life.

Clayton, suffering heavy loss of blood, was dragged to safety by his fellow soldiers where a medic immediately went to work on him, patching up his wounds as best he could. But Clayton was bleeding like a sieve and the medic had to cut Clayton’s uniform up to finish bandaging his many wounds. Specialist Carver, suffering massive trauma from his painful wounds was then evacuated to a hospital in Germany where he was treated for multiple shrapnel injuries and traumatic brain damage. A month later after he was stable Clayton was sent home to the U.S.A. where he underwent extensive therapy sessions. Now, almost fully recovered from his shrapnel and head wounds, Clayton decided that he wants do some payback and help his fellow veterans who have suffered similar battle wounds.

“I realize how lucky I was, Clayton informed, given a 2nd chance to enjoy life, family and friends. It’s been a long process recovering, especially with the brain damage, but I’m very thankful for those who’ve been working with me. One of the things that have really helped me with my recovery was bass fishing. Bass fishing and bass tournaments are absolutely the best therapy for me and my ongoing recovery”.

“Now I wish to share this wonderful healing sport with other wounded warriors, Carver stated, it is now my dream to develop and produce a veterans bass tournament related fishing show. My idea would be to use the skills taught to me by Bass/Pros, such as Gary Klein, and pass them on to other Purple Heart recipients while competing with them in actual bass tournament scenarios. These events would be video-taped for the learning and healing process of these veterans while they’re fishing bass tournaments. It’s been great therapy for me and I feel that it would be great therapy to my brothers as well. Bass fishing is a great sport and bass tournaments are awesome learning experiences and can provide a great healing process for those wounded warriors who are desperately in need this. I plan to initiate a “Purple Heart Bassin” program but I’ll need some serious help and technical education in this effort to get it operational.

To assist in his “Purple Heart Bassin” endeavor as a sponsor or participant, contact Clayton Carver at 254-466-3160 or 254-285-4088.

This Ed Snyder/Outdoors Article Sponsored By The Beach Triton, Miss Nancy’s Bait Camp, and CrystalBeachLocalNews.com.

Author’s Note: This article is about a friend who almost paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. An article meant to show the bravery and dedication of our Veterans who’ve served, are serving, and especially for those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy, but much to often take for granted. Freedom DOES have a price Folks! Happy Belated Veterans Day, Veterans. (2013-11-26)