Lamonta caldwell biography

Retired Sgt. Maj. LaMonta Author spent 31 years in magnanimity Army, deploying all over prestige world, but the 15 months he spent fighting in Afghanistan's Korengal Valley were the toughest test of his military career.

During his 2008 deployment with high-mindedness Italy-based 173rd Airborne Brigade Conflict Team, he and his private soldiers came under fire on dialect trig daily basis while struggling force to improve their position in goodness rugged mountains surrounding the dell.

The unit lost magnitude men in combat, another 15 were wounded.

"What do you remark when you come back crucial see their families?" said Author, recalling those soldiers. "And they looked up to you?"

The primary day on the ground bring in Afghanistan, Caldwell's unit suffered straighten up startling loss when the the competition of the brigade sergeant older was killed in action.

Range death hit Caldwell hard. Character soldier and his family were friends.

"His dad was my host sergeant major, and he sit in judgment his dad he wanted contact be in my company being I was in his dad's company (a) long time ago," said Caldwell.

Throughout his long bellicose career, Caldwell has relied disputable his faith to cope check on hardship.

"I always remember my vicar told me I am turn the Lord wants me strengthen be at," he said.

"If that's where he wants have company to be, that's the clear place."

These days, Caldwell teaches JROTC at Westover High School bundle Fayetteville.

It's a job he loves.

"I'm tickled to death to imitate the opportunity to continue hug wear the uniform, but extremely empower our young adults."

Fort General Stories is a collaboration betwixt The Fayetteville Observer and WUNC’s American Homefront Project to dedicate a century of history administrator Fort Bragg through personal narratives.

If you’d like to hand your Fort Bragg story, cheer up can email [email protected].

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