For extraordinary heroism in action on 23 March 1945, while serving with Seventh Army Infantry Company Number 1 (Provisional), 56th Armored Infantry Battalion, 12th Armored Division, near Speyer, Germany. When the tank on which he was riding received heavy bazooka and small arms fire, Sergeant Carter voluntarily attempted to lead a three-man group across an open field. Within a short time, two of his men were killed and the third seriously wounded. Continuing on alone, he was wounded five times and finally was forced to take cover. As eight enemy riflemen attempted to capture him, Sergeant Carter killed six of them and captured the remaining two. Staff Sergeant Carter’s extraordinary heroism was an inspiration to the officers and men of Seventh Army Infantry Company Number 1 (Provisional) and exemplifies the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.

The above MOH citation, upgraded from a DSC in 1997, does not do justice to Carter’s heroic action during the Battle of the Bulge in 1945. After being shot five times plus receiving three shrapnel wounds, he faked his death for two hours while lying near the warehouse where the Germans were firing antitank rockets and machine-gun until the Germans decided to make sure he was dead. He then killed six and captured two soldiers who gave him the information needed to destroy the warehouse and capture the city. He was then medically evacuated but returned to his unit in a couple of weeks. A few days later his commander received word from the hospital that Carter went AWOL. Needless to say his commander reported that all was well and he served with distinction for the rest of the war. He died in 1963, without knowing that he would become California’s most decorated black hero of World War II. In 1995 the Army undertook a study to determine why no black soldiers in WWII never received the MOH. The records for DSC recipients were reviewed and his DSC was upgraded to the MOH.