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William Thomas Carter (1921-1997) enlisted in the US Army with service starting in April 1943 in the 376 Engineering Battalion. He later served in the 445 Engineering Battalion. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the reserves in 1964, with over 20 years of military service (active and reserves). He continued working for the government as a digital computer systems operator, electronic data processing for the Social Security Administration, and his retirement applications state that he worked for the government for 36 years. This archive records his service in WWII and Korea and as well as his efforts to apply for retirement pay from Washington. 

Highlights include: approx. 20 unidentified photographs, 8 x 10 in. or smaller. (most removed from an album, with black paper remains on verso). --2 V-Mail letters, one to his wife (n.d.) and one to Mrs. W.T. Carter from George Carter (1944). – 6 1/4 x 32 ½ in. illustrated letter describing a journey through Colorado. -- Carter’s patches, medal bars, and other pins, including Corps of Engineers pins, and a flying tiger with V (Victory) pin. -- 3 Honorable Discharges, dated 1949, 1951, and one undated example for a Reserve unit, signed by Maryland Governor O’Connor (served 1939-1947). 

[With:] Evaluation records (plus a few scattered among other papers). His performance ratings were consistently high. On form notes: “Performance exceeding that which is normally expected. Willingness to accept additional assignments, while maintaining high standards as a computer operator.” Another notes: “This EM possesses an excellent military bearing and is respected by all his associates. His physical health is considered to be excellent and fit for field duty. He is alert and intelligent and readily adapts himself to the challenge of new problems. He has consistently demonstrated a high degree of skill in the performance of duties. 

“This EM has excellent participation and is loyal to his superiors, his unit, and to the men of the command. He is a credit to the Army Reserve in the community.”

Outside of the military, Carter served as a scoutmaster, especially in the 1960s, likely when his son was most active in scouting. There are a number of membership and other cards, including Masons: American Legion (1958); Scottish Rite Masons; Imperial Council (Masons), (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959); Royal Arch Masons, (1952-1955); US. Government Motor Vehicle Operator’s Identification card (May 1958-May 1960; Oct 1959 – Oct. 1962); State of Maryland Motor Vehicle Operator’s License (stamp on verso 1950); State of Maryland Dept. of Motor Vehicles 1965, photocopy of 1958 temporary(?) license); State of MD license issued 1961; motor vehicle insurance card; card identifying William T. Carter as an Official U.S. Army 16-mm Projectionist; Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore card; Army Weapons Receipt (1960 edition). There is a Safe Conduct Pass, much of it in Korean. 

In 1954, Carter took a series of “Advanced Training Course in Wiring of I.B.M. Equipment,” (Type 552 Alphabetic Interpreter, Type 513 reproducer, Type 077 Collator, and Type 405 Alphabetic Accounting Machine) and received near perfect grades on the examinations (100, 100, 100, 98). He also completed a course in Military Justice at Fort Custer, Michigan.

 

[Also with:] Retirement forms, insurance forms, service records, most contained in a series of folders, including one pocket folder. -- “Personnel Records Jacket, United States Army” (2). -- “Financial Data Records, United States Army.” 

 

Unfortunately, 1940 is the latest year for which we have census data available. We have been unable to find either a marriage year (wife = Elizabeth Lucille Dudley) or the number of children they had. These records suggest at least one daughter (Edna) and one son (William Jr.?- at some point Carter adds “Sr.” to his name). Carter died 24 Sept. 1997 and was buried at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Baltimore County, MD.