Grayson County TXGenWeb

Harold W. Carter
15 September 1918 - 31 August 2009

Herald Democrat
September 20, 2009

After proudly serving his country for 28 years, Lieutenant Colonel Harold W. Carter, Ret., died on Aug. 31, 2009 at his Sedona, Ariz. home.

Harold W. Carter was born in Howe on Sept. 15, 1918 to William F. and Minnie Carter. He graduated from Howe High School in 1939 and attended Baylor University. On Jan. 28, 1941, Harold began his military service when he enlisted in the U.S. Army and then volunteered as
an aviation cadet in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his wings as a pilot and was transferred to the South Pacific.

Upon his return to the United States, Harold was assigned to Rosecrans Field in St. Joseph, Mo., where he met and married his wife, Jeanne Bruess Carter on Feb. 9, 1946. From there, he was assigned to the Topeka (Kan.) Army Air Base as a squadron commander, then to Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Ala. flying VIP special missions all over the United States. Ultimately, he became chief of staff for wing operations.
During the Korean War, Harold was assigned a B-29 bomber and a wing crew in Okinawa. The Wing Crew was then transferred to the 19th Bomb Wing flying B-47s where he served as chief of combat operations and aircraft commander. After the Korean War, Harold was transferred to Strategic Air Command where he was instrumental in the development of the computer base for all SAC operations
throughout the United States.

At the conclusion of the SAC project, Harold's last assignment was at the Pentagon serving as chief of computer operations for the worldwide reporting system until his retirement in August 1969.

During Harold's 28-year tour of duty, he was awarded the following honors: American Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star and Pacific Service Ribbon for the Asia-Pacific Campaign, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, OCC Medal for Korea, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Res. Medal, Korean Services Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal and Air Force Commendation.

Harold was a Master Mason for more than 60 years and was presented with his 60-year pin and certificate
on Jan. 10, 2006 at the Masonic Lodge in Howe.

Harold was predeceased by his parents; his beautiful wife of 38 years, Jeanne Bruess Carter; brothers, Cleo Carter and Roamer Carter; and his sister, Frances Marie (Carter) Murphy.

He is survived by his daughter, Nanci Sedgwick of Raymond, N.H.; granddaughters, Tristan Sedgwick of Auburn, N.H., and Phoenix Mayet of Jamaica Plain, Mass., and nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial service with full military honors and Masonic graveside rites is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Van Alstyne Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, his family requests any donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children.