LIEUTENANT, JUNIOR GRADE, MELVIN R. CARTER, United States Navel Reserve. For extraordinary heroism as Pilot of a Fighter Plane in Fighting Squadron Eighty Two, attached to the USS Bennington, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the East China Sea, April 7, 1945. Participating in the initial strike against a hostile Task Force, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, (then Ensign) Carter pressed home a determined attack on a screening destroyer and then climbed for altitude to repeat the strike on another large destroyer. Through his skilled tactics, he scored a direct hit which contributed materially to the sinking of a Japanese battleship, heavy cruiser, light cruiser and three destroyers. His outstanding airmanship and devotion to the fulfillment of a perilous assignment were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navel Service.

Mr. Carter resides in Texas.