MAJOR TENNIS H. CARTER, DSC. Sam, as he was known, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for actions in Camp A Shau, Republic of Vietnam, on March 9-12, 1966. His camp was heavily attacked by two reinforced Viet Cong battaltions. He organized a detail to secure the camp’s airstrip so that a seriously wounded American could be evacuated, and later led two counterattacks. The defenders were then ordered to withdraw. He missed the rescue helicopters and was forced to evade the insurgents in the dense jungle until he was rescued two days later.

He had been a member of the Legion of Valor since 1967.