Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Staff Sergeant

    Batallion:

    2d Squadron

    Regiment:

    11th Armored Cavalry Regiment

    Action Date:

    January 6, 1968

    Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 2390 (April 12, 1968)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Donald A. Carter (ASN: RA-27018295), United States Army, for gallantry in action involving close combat against an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Sergeant Carter distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 January 1968, while serving as a Track Commander with Troop F, 2d Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, on a reconnaissance in force mission southeast of Loc Ninh. In an assault on an ambush site close to the roadway, Sergeant Carter unhesitatingly charged a well-fortified bunker in the face of heavy rocket and automatic weapons fire, destroying it and capturing one enemy soldier who later gave valuable information on the disposition of the 88th North Vietnamese Army Regiment. Sergeant Carter then joined the point man of a dismounted patrol sweeping into the jungle. When the force came under intense automatic weapons fire, the point man was mortally wounded. Although only a few meters from the enemy positions, Sergeant Carter gallantly gave first aid to the dying man and began to pull him back to safety through heavy automatic and semi-automatic weapons fire. While engaged in his mission of mercy, Sergeant Carter was hit four times by sniper fire and seriously wounded. Staff Sergeant Carter’s extraordinary heroism in close combat against an armed hostile force is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.