NEW ORLEANS, November 11, 2022
Veterans In Trucking is in New Orleans today to honor the super-human courage of our US Veterans– we’re at the World War Two Museum, where they are honoring the everyday heroes that subdued the horrors of the NAZI regime.
In particular, tonight they are recognizing truck driver and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant Edward A. Carter Jr..
We get a glimpse of the warmer side of this hero from his love letters to sweetheart, Mildred. Carter called her Honey Bird, Darling Mill, Sweetheart, and Sweets. In the letter below he even sketches a kiss to enclose for her:
Despite his love for Mildred and their infant son, Carter hoped to fight and aid the United States in its war against the NAZI’s. Carter joined the US Army in September 1941.
Carter knew that the fight could cost him his life and signed letters to Mildred, “Yours beyond the end.”
But courageously he also told her, “I am first and last an American Soldier.”
After he signed up, Carter served the World War Two effort as a truck driver: Carter was assigned to the 3535th Quartermaster Truck Company at Fort Benning, Georgia. He did the crucial work of keeping the troops supplied across the multi-front war.
But his fate took a rapid turn following the Battle of the Bulge.
Carter accepted a cut in rank in order to accept a combat role in the war effort: He received a letter from the US War Office that said, “Non-commissioned officers may accept reduction in order to take advantage of this opportunity,” and he accepted the demotion to better fight the NAZI incursion.
Carter retrained for his new role, and he swiftly proved his courage in battle:
In the Allied push toward the Rhine River in March 1945 they found few bridges left intact over which to advance. Just south of Mannheim, Germany, the town of Speyer was identified for a possible crossing.
Just north of the town, Carter and his men encountered heavy fire from the German defenders.
Carter’s heroic actions near Speyer on March 23, 1945, resulted in Carter killing six enemy soldiers and capturing two more, in addition to the Germans killed or wounded by his men. He did this all while seriously wounded.
-New Orleans WW2 Museum
He later wrote lightly of his injuries to Mildred, “I guess the War Dept. has written you concerning my getting shot up a little…I have nine bullet holes in all.”
It was men like Carter that made all the difference in the war effort in the War to End All Wars.
This Veterans Day, Veterans In Trucking, and all Americans recognize and honor our servicemen for their enduring courage and extraordinary sacrifice.
Thank you for your service.
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