Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Captain

Unit:

2nd Field Regiment, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On 6 December 1943, Captain Carter, 2nd Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery was Forward Observation Officer with “B” Coy, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
At 0920 hrs the Coy put in an attack on strong enemy positions before La Torre (MR 321113) and after extremely hard fighting, which lasted until [ …]30 hrs, overran them. Throughout this action, Capt. Carter was right up with the forward elements of the Coy and often took up a rifle and assisted as a rifleman. During re-organization he went forward well beyond the foremost localities occupied by our troops and continued to call down fire on known enemy positions.
When the Coy advanced to the outskirts of La Torre, Capt. Carter established his observation post in a large white house, which was also occupied by part of a platoon. At 1815 hrs the enemy delivered a powerful counter attack from three sides which threatened to trap the company and penetrated right up to the house he occupied. During this attack Capt. Carter was seriously wounded. Nevertheless he remained at his post and insisted that the infantrymen in the house moved to new positions while he covered their movements with his Thompson submachine gun. Only when everyone else had gone would he leave the house. But, before he left, as the enemy were closing in around it, his last act was to call down artillery fire upon his own position.
Although wounded and bleeding badly and in spite of the close proximity of the enemy, he managed to make his way with assistance to Coy HQ where his wounds were dressed.
He then asked to see the Coy Commander and demanded of him that if the Coy had to withdraw, they leave him behind rather than risk the loss of more men in trying to get him away. If I’m no good, he said, to fight him anymore, I might as well give him the trouble of looking after me at least.”
Not only did Capt. Carter throughout this engagement display outstanding skill, judgment and initiative in his duties as Forward Observation Officer, but also set an inspiring example of gallantry and devotion to duty to all.