MEDAL OF HONOR
CARTER, BRUCE W.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps. Company H, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division ( Rein ), FMF
Place and date: Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam 7 August 1969
Entered service at: Jacksonville, Florida
Born: 7 May 1950, Schenectady, New York
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as grenadier with Company H in connection with combat operations against the enemy. Pfc. Carter's unit was maneuvering against the enemy during Operation Idaho Canyon and came under a heavy volume of fire from a numerically superior hostile force. The lead element soon became separated from the main body of the squad by a brush fire. Pfc. Carter and his fellow marines were pinned down by vicious crossfire when, with complete disregard for his safety, he stood in full view of 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, Pfc. 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 body. Pfc. Carter's indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest tradition of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
General / Personal
Last name: CARTER
First name: BRUCE WAYNE
Home of Record (official): MIAMI SPRINGS
State (official): FL
Date of Birth: Sunday, May 7, 1950
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single
Military
Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 261961399
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E2
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0341
Action
Start of Tour: Wednesday, April 9, 1969
Date of Casualty: Thursday, August 7, 1969
Age at time of loss: 19
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Other explosive device (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Tri
The Wall: Panel 20W - Row 107
