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MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly Oct '56
Robert Fleming Carter No. 15618 Class of 1946
Died May 3, 1955, at Fort Benning, Georgia, aged 29 years. |
For Robert Fleming Carter entrance to the Military
Academy was not an entirely new way of life. Preceded by three
consecutive generations of officers in the United States Army,
Bob was intimately familiar with the atmosphere and traditions
of the Army and had ample opportunity to observe both the pleasant
and the unpleasant aspects of a military career. Although never
influenced in his choice of a profession, early in life he set
the Military Academy as his goal and never considered any career
other than the military service.
Bob was born on September 6, 1925 at Fort
Oglethorpe, Georgia where his father was then serving in the
Sixth Cavalry. His boyhood years were spent on various military
posts throughout the United States, the Philippine Islands, and
the Canal Zone. These were wonderful, exciting years -
travel to interesting places with the opportunity to make new
friends combined with the stability of a close knit family group.
Bob's youth was a full and happy period during which he developed
many of the characteristics that were to remain with him in later
years. He participated in a variety of activities, and everything
he did, he did with all his energy and enthusiasm. He was
intensely interested in athletics and although a keen competitor,
never put victory above the principles of good sportsmanship.
He was active in the Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
While he especially enjoyed the companionship of his friends
and was always ready for any game or group enterprise, he was
also an avid reader who was easily entertained by a good book
on almost any subject. In school he held many positions indicating
the esteem in which he was held by both his teachers and fellow
students.
Bob finished his high school studies at
Phillips Exeter Academy and entered the Military Academy with
the class of 1946. The same qualities and characteristics
that had won devoted friends throughout his life were quickly
noted by his fellow cadets. His cheerful disposition and
friendly nature made him easy to know and to like. He took
an active interest in all phases of' cadet life. He was a member
of the swimming team and received his letter in that sport.
The year following graduation, Bob attended
the Basic Course at the Artillery School, Fort Sill. On completion
of this course he went to Puerto Rico where he served with the
5O4th Field Artillery Battalion until 1949. Bob's service in
Puerto Rico was a very enjoyable period in which he made a host
of new friends and participated in the many activities of that
area. In 1949 he returned to Fort Sill to begin training
as an Army Aviator. He commenced his flying training with his
characteristic zeal and vigor, and for this new career he quickly
developed an intense enthusiasm and interest that increased as
his knowledge and experience increased. Early in his training,
Bob visualized an increase in the future importance and use of
aviation within the Army, and he determined that in addition
to becoming a good pilot, he would become an expert in all facets
of his new field. This determination never waned and he constantly
studied to increase his grasp of the potential role of aircraft
in the Army.
On completion of his training, Bob was
assigned to the 3Oth Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Bragg.
While stationed at Fort Bragg, on July 7, 1951 he married Miss
Ann Marchman, thus climaxing a romance begun back in Puerto Rico.
He then returned with Ann to Fort Sill where he completed the
Artillery Advanced Course.
In 1952 he went to Korea where he served
with distinction as an Army Aviator in the 2nd Infantry Division
and the IX Corps, taking part in three major campaigns and receiving
the Bronze Star and Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters.
On his return to the United States in October
1953, Bob was ordered to Camp Rucker, Alabama to the 47th Division,
which soon thereafter was transferred to Fort Benning, Georgia,
and redesignated the 3d Infantry Division. During this period,
the 3d Division began extensive training to test new concepts
of organization and operation to determine what changes were
required in the standard Infantry division to enable it to function
successfully under the changing conditions of modern warfare.
The need for increased mobility, battlefield dispersion, better
communications all indicated an increase in the importance of
aviation within a division, and therefore the aviation element
of the 3d Division was carefully studied during these tests.
In this division all aircraft, both fixed and rotary wing, were
placed in a single unit known as the Combat Aviation Company.
Bob was selected to command this highly important company, the
first and only unit of its kind in the Army. The size and importance
of the unit are indicated by the fact there were fifty-one officers
assigned to this one company alone. Here was a challenge to be
met with all his enthusiasm and professional skill - to weld
this new company into an efficient unit, to train it as organized
and at the same time to recognize and recommend changes to improve
future aviation companies. How well this was accomplished is
reflected in the fine record made by the Combat Aviation Company
in Exercise “Follow Me,” the field exercise held in
1954 in which the new organization of the entire division was
thoroughly tested. Bob's outstanding job in training and
leading the company through the exercise is indicated in the
following extract from a commendation written to Bob by Major
General H. L. Boatner, then commanding the 3d Division: ".
. . Your obvious enthusiasm, thoroughness and efficiency with
which you prepared yourself for the exercise of your duties as
Company Commander, 3d Combat Aviation Company, Division Headquarters
Battalion, is most gratifying. When you consider the potential
military value of all the members of your unit, you can easily
see that you have made a noteworthy contribution to the military
efficiency of the U.S. Army. This Division, and I, are
proud of your accomplishment . . ."
Twice Bob was questioned about new assignments
which would have taken him from the 3d Combat Aviation Company
and both times he requested that he remain in his present assignment
until the changes, many of which he recommended, in the organization
and employment of the Company could be tested in the next division
exercise. His ability and vision will be felt not only in the
3d Combat Aviation Company but in any aviation company that may
be formed in the future.
Bob died at Fort Benning on May 3, 1955
in the crash of an H-19 helicopter near the Wherry housing area
where he lived. The crash resulted from some failure in the aircraft
that caused the in-flight disintegration of the helicopter. It
was not possible to determine the exact cause or exactly what
happened in the helicopter, but an officer who witnessed the
accident from the housing area noted ". . . it deliberately
turned away from a congested housing area and crashed in the
woods nearby. . ."
He is survived by his wife Ann and son
and image Robert, Jr., who now live at 589O SW 48th Street, Miami.
Florida, his parents Major General and Mrs. Leslie D. Carter;
and his brother, Captain Leslie D. Carter, Jr.
The nation has lost an able and courageous
young leader whose brief career is indicative of the great promise
that lay in the future. Certainly no words can express the sorrow
of his family; but the many memories of his companionship, his
laughter, his good nature, will live with those who loved him
to the end of our days. For while truly a part of us has
gone with him a part of him remains with us and gives us strength
to carry on until we meet again.
--L. D. C., Jr.
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