Death of a Classmate - Gerald Carter 8th Co.

CAPTAIN GERALD MICHAEL CARTER, JR., USN (RET.) , died on April 24, 2013. He was born in Charleston, SC on November 11, 1931 to the late Gerald M. Carter and Elizabeth B. Carter. Captain Carter attended Bishop England High School and was a graduate of Porter Military Academy, the US Naval Academy in 1954, Naval Post Graduate School, Naval War College and the National War College. His afloat assignments included command of USS Brattleboro, USS Bridget, USS R. A. Owens, USS Lynde D. McCormick, Destroyer Squadron 6, Destroyer Squadron 36 and NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic. In the NATO assignment, this force was comprised of 26 ships from 9 different navies. His shore assignments included service as Administrative Aid to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Executive Officer to the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Deputy Director of the Chief of Naval Operations Long Range Planning Group and Academic Department Chairman at the National War College. His personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, 2 Legion's of Merit - both Army and Navy awards, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal. His three Vietnam tours earned 6 Campaign Stars. Captain Carter was the husband of Martha Carroll Riherd Carter. He was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia Overstreet Carter and second wife Harriet Dotterer Carter. He is survived by two sisters; Elizabeth C. Gibson of Charleston and Mary Lucia C. Blacksher (James) of Birmingham, AL., two children; G. Michael Carter, III of Fairfax, VA and Elizabeth G. Decker (John) of Burke, VA. and three grandchildren; Mary Elizabeth, John Carlin and Angela Dicey Decker. Captain Carter was an avid yacht and small boat, single hand sailor as he spent his days sailing at the Naval Academy and around Charleston in many boats of his beloved MOTH class. He was a member of the Carolina and New York Yacht Clubs. The relatives and friends of Captain and Mrs. Gerald M. Carter, Jr. are invited to attend his Memorial Service with full military honors at 1:00 PM Tuesday, December 17, 2013, at Arlington National Cemetery. Guests are asked to arrive to check in by 12:30 PM.

Published in The Capital on Dec. 15, 2013