John Alexander CARTER DCM, OAM

CARTER, John Alexander

Service Number: 38317
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Corporal
Last Unit: 3rd Cavalry Regiment
Born: Benalla, Victoria, Australia, 23 May 1945
Home Town: Benalla, Benalla, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Soldier
Died: Shepparton, Victoria, Australia, 23 January 2021, aged 75 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Not yet discovered
Memorials: Australian Capital Territory Garden of Remembrance
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Vietnam War Service

25 May 1966: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal
25 May 1966: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal, 38317, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron
18 Aug 1966: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal, 38317, 1 Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron, Long Tan
16 Jan 1967: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal
16 Jan 1967: Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Corporal, 38317, 3rd Cavalry Regiment

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Biography contributed by John Edwards

"At approximately 1800 hours 18 August 1966 Corporal John Carter was the Crew Commander of an armoured personnel carrier of 3 Troop First Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron. This Troop had been given the task of carrying a relieving force of Infantry to assist D Company 6 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment which was in heavy contact with a brigade sized enemy force. Orders were for the carrier Troop to advance with two sections forward. Weather conditions at the time were extremely difficult due to a severe rain storm.

When contact was made with the enemy, Corporal Carter's vehicle was engaged by fire from 57 millimetre recoilless rifle, machine gun and small arms fire. The projectile from the 57 recoilless rifle missed his vehicle and exploded against a rubber tree. Corporal Carter returned fire using his .50 calibre machine gun. The gun jammed. He then grasped the driver's Owen Machine Carbine and without hesitation leapt onto the top of his vehicle and returned fire killing the 57 millimetre recoilless rifle team a fraction after another 57 millimetre recoilless rifle round had been fire. This round exploded and dazed the crew and passengers. Corporal Carter still undeterred continued to fire killing five other enemy.

By his actions Corporal Carter also drew additional fire onto himself enabling the other vehicles of the Troop to advance.

Through the action which was fought at very close range, Corporal Carter showed outstanding courage, initiative and determination. His actions were an inspiration to all his comrades and contributed greatly to the success of the assault by the relief force, the heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy, and immediately afterwards, the relief of D Company, 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment." - SOURCE (sitrep1.tripod.com)

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