John E Carter, Jr
Lance CorporalHQ CO, HQ BN, 1ST MARDIV, 3RD MAF
United States Marine Corps
05 July 1949 - 15 February 1970
Des Moines, Iowa
Panel 13W Line 014
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The database page for John E Carter, Jr
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John, I just discovered this site. I have often thought of you. Whenever I hear the song, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" I remember being a junior high girl infatuated with you and I think about how jealous I was of Judy whom you dated in high school. You were always so cool and seemed so worldly. I took German classes in high school and college because you could speak German fluently and I wanted to be like you in some ways. We always wonder if our life matters; yours did to many sweet innocent teenage girls. I'm sure it mattered a great deal to many people whom you didn't realize cared about you. I will never forget you. I hope you are very happy where you dwell now.
Sue |
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Ahh... John. I remember you well. I think about you every now and then - saw your name on the Moving Wall, and it was a moving experience. We all went on active duty the same day. Sergeant Soda came down the line looking for someone to join the USMC. He pointed at me and I declined. Then you went. The last time I saw you, you were getting coffee for him. Then the rest of us, Harry Quinn, Wesley Readhead, and me, were off to the Navy. I remember the '58 Chevy "club" - we all had them, mine later than the rest of you. And your scooter, with your monkey Judy chained to the handlebars, standing in our driveway and you saying if someone gave you garbage and you couldn't kick their butts, Judy could. I got word of your death sometime in the Spring of '70. The carrier I was on was in Gitmo doing an Operational Readiness Inspection. It made me very sad. Later when my ship was in the Gulf of Tonkin, both tours, every now and then I'd go up to the flight deck and write on a bomb for you. It was all I could do. Even though I was Navy not Corps, Semper Fi, dude. You are missed.
From a high school friend, |
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John was a sniper in my unit, a good friend, a good man and a good Marine. I still think of and reflect on John and others I cared about. I heard he had twin sons he never meant to leave behind. Somehow I feel that John lives on, in all of us, as his spirit was freely shared.
From a friend, |
A Note from The Virtual WallLance Corporal John E. Carter died on 15 Feb 1970 from wounds previously received. Although formally assigned to HQ Company, HQ Bn, 1st Marine Division, he may well have been in the field with another unit when wounded. Regretably, The Virtual Wall has not been able to identify the circumstances surrounding his death. |
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is his sister's childhood friend. E-Mail may be forwarded via the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 17 Nov 2002
Last updated 02/01/2008