Carter, Edward A., Jr. 1916-1963

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Edward A. Carter (b. May 26, 1916, Los Angeles, CA-d. Jan. 30, 1963, Los Angeles, CA) was born in Los Angeles to missionary parents, and raised in Shanghai, China. As a teenager he joined the Chinese Nationalist Army to fight the Japanese, winning rapid advancement. He later joined the Abraham Lincoln Brigade and served in Spain, beginning in June 1937. Carter enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1941 and was shipped overseas in November 1944. In 1945, while stationed in Germany, Carter distinguished himself in battle, suffering multiple bullet wounds. His heroic actions went unheralded by the U.S. Army for many years, due largely to discrimination against African Americans. Suspicion of Carter’s political background led the Army to reject his effort to re-enlist in 1949. Carter died on January 30, 1963. More than three decades after his death, the Army and the U.S. government finally recognized Carter’s bravery with a Congress Medal of Honor. The U.S. also named a ship after Carter, and his body was re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery in 1997.
Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives Vertical Files: Individuals, 1930-2011 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
creatorOf Edward Carter Papers, Bulk, 1942-1999, 1941-2001 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
referencedIn Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives: Small Photograph Collections, 1928-1992 Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
parent-in-law of Carter, Allene G. person
spouseOf Carter, Mildred Hoover person
memberOf United States. Army. Armored Division, 12th corporateBody
memberOf United States. Army. Infantry Division, 7th corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Los Angeles CA US
Arlington National Cemetery VA US
Kingdom of Spain 00 ES
Shanghai 02 CN
Los Angeles CA US
Federal Republic of Germany 00 DE
Subject
African American soldiers
Bronze Star Medal (U.S.)
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart
Spain
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
African American soldiers
Army officers
Activity

Person

Birth 1916-05-26

Death 1963-01-30

Male

African Americans,

Americans

English

Information

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Ark ID: w63x9nr6

SNAC ID: 75714116