David Lee Carter, 90, passed away on Saturday, July 17, 2021. Funeral services and celebration of life will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in the chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home. The Reverend Glenn Haskins, George Fisher, John Anderson and Chief Jimmy Hartley will officiate. Burial will be in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will have a reception following the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Major David L. Carter Scholarship Fund, 577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1600, Macon 31201.
Mr. Carter was born in Greensville, SC to the late Clarence Ben Carter and Laura Gardo Carter. He was of the Methodist faith and a retired U.S Army Major.
David was a skilled special operations volunteer Raider (commando) with the GHQ Raider Company during the Korean War. He was up from the ranks military “mustang” officer graduating with honors from the United States Army Officers Candidate School and received his college education through the Armed Forces Institute, Kansas State, Maryland and Seoul Universities. His attendance was on duty with his formal education earned at night and weekends.
He had an early-enlisted assignment to General Douglas MacArthur’s Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. When the Korean War began, he volunteered and was selected for training in the “Raider” 100 man group designated to destroy enemy personnel and installations Behind Lines. The “GHQ Raider Company” was also known as X Corps Special Operations Company. He served as Squad Leader during combat in this special operations organization, and was promoted during combat as Leader. During 2010 U.S. Army officials in ceremonies at Special Force Headquarters, Fort Bragg NC recognized the 100 man Raider unit with a Memorial Stone which was laid at the Headquarters in their honor as a forerunner of current Special Forces.
He graduated with Honors from Infantry OCS, Advanced Career Infantry Officers School, Army Operations and Intelligence School. David received a Military Specialist (PS) as Nuclear Weapons Employment Officer as a top 10% graduate the Advanced Infantry School. Prior to that distinction the Commanding General First Infantry Division “Big Red One” at Fort Riley Kansas selected him as the Commanding Officer and President Of the Expert Infantry Badge Award, which is considered the highest non-combat award for Infantry during peace time. Only six officers and enlisted men were successful in completing this demanding exercise. He was installed into the OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning Georgia.
During 1962, he was nominated and selected to command the JROTC Instructor Group at Lanier Senior HS for Boys. The program consisted of 1300 enrolled cadets, which was the largest JROTC unit in the country. The unit received the highest award “Honor Star” every year of his tenure. In addition, Drill Team “Golden Boots” won seven National VFW titles and the Rifle Marksmanship team won 1st place in the National Marksmanship contest. The Bibb School Board named the drill field in his honor by placement of a permanent marker. Later former students initiated and funded a college scholarship in his name and honor.
Following military retirement, he was elected on five occasions to Macon City Council serving at Appropriations Chairman and Council President for eight years. He served as Mayor of Macon during 1995 and had 18 years of outstanding service for Macon’s city government.
Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Martha E. Carter of Macon; four sons, Steve Carter (Jane), Mike Carter, Craig Carter and Clarke Carter; two grandchildren, Lt. Col. Mathew Carter (Jessica) and Benjamin Carter; great granddaughter, Felicity Carter; sister, Frances Strickland; several nieces and nephews; and extended family and friends.
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Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of the arrangements.
