Edward A. Carter Jr. facts for kids

• • 56th Armored Infantry

Edward Allen Carter Jr. (born May 26, 1916 – died January 30, 1963) was a brave United States Army soldier. He was a sergeant first class who was hurt during World War II. He later received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest military award for courage in the United States. This award was given to him after his death for his actions on March 23, 1945, in Germany.

Edward Carter Jr. was one of seven Black American soldiers from World War II who received the Medal of Honor on January 12, 1997. They were the first Black American soldiers to get this award for their service in World War II.

Early Life and Adventures

Edward Carter Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1916. His parents were missionaries. His father was African American, and his mother was East Indian. Edward grew up in India and later moved to Shanghai, China. He was very good with languages and could speak English, Hindi, German, and Mandarin.

Military Service

Fighting in China and Spain

When Edward was in Shanghai in 1932, he ran away from home. He joined the National Revolutionary Army to fight against the Japanese who were invading during the Shanghai Incident. He even became a lieutenant. However, he had to leave when they found out he was only 15 years old.

Later, he traveled to Spain. There, he joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. This was a group of American volunteers. They supported the Spanish Republicans in the Spanish Civil War.

World War II Hero

Edward Carter Jr. joined the U.S. Army on September 26, 1941. Because of his past fighting experience, he quickly stood out. In less than a year, he became a staff sergeant. He was part of the 56th Armored Infantry Battalion in the 12th Armored Division.

During the winter of 1944–1945, after the Battle of the Bulge, the Army needed more combat soldiers. Black support soldiers were allowed to volunteer for combat duty. They received quick training. To join these special units, soldiers had to give up their current rank. Carter volunteered and went from staff sergeant to private.

A soldier from the 12th Armored Division guarding German prisoners in 1945.

On March 23, 1945, Carter was 28 years old. He was riding on a tank when it was hit by an enemy weapon called a Panzerschreck. He got off the tank and led three other soldiers across an open field. Sadly, two of his men were killed, and one was badly hurt. Carter kept going alone. He was shot five times but managed to find cover.

Eight German soldiers then tried to capture him. But Carter fought back bravely. He killed six of them and captured the other two. He used the two prisoners to shield himself from enemy fire as he went back across the field. His prisoners gave important information about the enemy to his unit. For his incredible bravery, he first received the Distinguished Service Cross on October 4, 1945. He was later promoted to sergeant first class.

After the war, in 1949, Carter was not allowed to re-enlist in the Army. This was due to false claims that he had ties to communists. These claims were related to his time with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Edward Carter Jr. died on January 30, 1963, from health issues related to shrapnel in his neck. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in 1997.

Family Life

Edward Carter Jr. married Mildred Hoover in 1940. They had two sons together: Edward III, born in 1941, and William, born in 1944.

Awards and Honors

Edward Carter Jr. received many awards for his service:

A Navy ship, the MV SSG Edward A. Carter Jr. (T-AK 4544), was named in his honor. This ship is part of the Military Sealift Command.

Receiving the Medal of Honor

Edward Carter Jr.'s grave at Arlington National Cemetery.

In the early 1990s, it was discovered that Black soldiers had not been fairly considered for the Medal of Honor during World War II because of their race. The Army asked Shaw University to study this. The study found that there was indeed unfair treatment in how awards were given during World War II.

In 1996, after a thorough review, the study suggested that ten Black Americans who served in World War II should receive the Medal of Honor. Congress then passed a law allowing seven of these soldiers to get the award. On January 12, 1997, Edward Carter Jr.'s son received the Medal of Honor for his father. The families of five other Black Americans also received the award. The only living recipient, Vernon Baker, received his in person. For six of these soldiers, their previous Distinguished Service Crosses were upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

See also

• List of African-American Medal of Honor recipients
• List of Medal of Honor recipients for World War II
• Medal of Honor (TV series) – Edward Carter Jr. is featured in Season 1, Episode 3.