The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain (Infantry) Joseph Franklin Carter, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 25 March 1865, while serving with Company D, 3d Maryland Infantry, in action at Fort Stedman, Virginia. Captain Carter captured the colors of the 51st Virginia Infantry (Confederate States of America). During the battle he was captured and escaped bringing a number of prisoners with him.