Bruce W. Carter
Bruce Wayne Carter | |
---|---|
3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division | |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Awards | Medal of Honor (1969) Purple Heart |
Bruce Wayne Carter (May 7, 1950 – August 7, 1969) was a
In August 1969, his unit was ambushed outside of
Biography
Carter was born May 7, 1950, in Schenectady, New York. He received his early schooling at Queens Elementary School in Pasadena, Texas. From September 1959 until January 1960, he attended Gretna Park Elementary School in Gretna, Louisiana, and graduated from Mimosa Park Elementary School, Mimosa Park, Louisiana, in May 1962.
PFC Carter's education continued in Hialeah, Florida, where he attended Filer Junior High and Hialeah Junior High. He then attended Miami Springs Junior and High Schools (Florida), prior to entering West Jefferson High School in Harvey, Louisiana.
He left West Jefferson in June 1968 to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps at Jacksonville, Florida, on August 12, 1968. Ordered to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, he completed recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion in October 1968, and individual combat training with the 1st Infantry Training Battalion at the Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the following December. Promoted to private first class, January 1, 1969, he attended the Vietnamese Language Course at Monterey, California, until March.
Ordered to the
On August 7, 1969, while participating in
Decorations
His medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor (posthumously), the
Medal of Honor | Purple Heart | Combat Action Ribbon |
National Defense Service Medal | Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze star | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Medal of Honor citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
- For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Grenadier with Company H, Second Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the North Vietnamese Army soldiers to deliver a devastating volume of fire at their positions. The accuracy and aggressiveness of his attack caused several enemy casualties and forced the remainder of the soldiers to retreat from the immediate area. Shouting directions to the Marines around him, Private First Class Carter then commenced leading them from the path of the rapidly approaching brush fire when he observed a hostile grenade land between him and his companions. Fully aware of the probable consequences of his action, but determined to protect the men following him, he unhesitatingly threw himself over the grenade, absorbing the full effects of its detonation with his own body. Private First Class Carter's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
/S/
See also
References
- ISBN 978-1494287627.
- This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- "Private First Class Bruce Wayne Carter, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
- "PFC Bruce W. Carter, Medal of Honor, 1969, 2/3/3, Vietnam (Medal of Honor citation)". Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-01-02.
- "Bruce Wayne Carter". Biography. Russ Dodge. Retrieved 2011-11-28.
External links
- Linda D. Kozaryn (February 14, 2001). "Mother's 32-Year Vigil Ends with Vets' Web Search". DefenseLINK News. Archived from the original on 2007-03-23. Retrieved 2007-03-31.