Henry Allen "Sonny" Carter was born Feb. 6, 1930 in Gillespie, IL and passed away Thursday, December 13.
He graduated from Gillespie High School in 1948 and enlisted in the US Marine Corps soon afterward. He completed boot camp at Parris Island, SC, and ran on the track team at Camp Lejeune, NC. He made All Marine Champion and was presented with a trophy by the then Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Clifton B. Cates in June 1950. Later that month, he was promoted to Corporal. He made the Inchon Landing as a Fireteam Leader in Charlie Co. 1 Battalion 1st Marine Division.
Later he was promoted to Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. He fought through Yondongpo, Seoul, Wonsan landing in North Korea, "Chosen Reservoir" and fought in 40 degree below zero weather while surrounded by 10 Chinese Divisions. His group maintained combat integrity and fought their way out to Hungnam, where the Navy Seabees provided hot showers and transportation. During Operation "Ripper" and "Killer", he was wounded for the second time and was evacuated aboard the hospital ship Repose to Japan and then to Great Lakes.
He graduated from Eastern Illinois University, in Charleston, in 1956 with a BS in Physical Education and in 1969 with a Masters in School Education. He received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1956, a Platoon Commander in Okinawa, and a Military Adviser and Training Officer to the Navy Seabees. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 after serving for 30 years. His personal decorations include a Bronze Star with Combat "V" ribbon, Purple Heart with "Gold Star" Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Ribbon, Navy Occupation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon with Silver Star and Bronze Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, United Nations Ribbon, and Republic of Korea War Service Ribbon.
He married Marcia Allan in 1954 in Edwardsville, Il. They have four children.
He was preceeded in death by daughter, Kari.
"The Major" touched many lives throughout his teaching career. He taught 2 years in Williams Military Academy in Wheaton, IL, and 7 years in junior high in Nokomis, IL. In 1969 he moved to Calipatria teaching there from 1969-1985 then teaching at ICOE for 5 years returning to Calipatria in 1990 and retiring in 1998.
Visitation will be held Monday, December 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Frye Chapel in Brawley.
Church services will commence at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18 at Frye Chapel in Brawley, with burial following at Riverview cemetery.
He graduated from Gillespie High School in 1948 and enlisted in the US Marine Corps soon afterward. He completed boot camp at Parris Island, SC, and ran on the track team at Camp Lejeune, NC. He made All Marine Champion and was presented with a trophy by the then Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Clifton B. Cates in June 1950. Later that month, he was promoted to Corporal. He made the Inchon Landing as a Fireteam Leader in Charlie Co. 1 Battalion 1st Marine Division.
Later he was promoted to Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. He fought through Yondongpo, Seoul, Wonsan landing in North Korea, "Chosen Reservoir" and fought in 40 degree below zero weather while surrounded by 10 Chinese Divisions. His group maintained combat integrity and fought their way out to Hungnam, where the Navy Seabees provided hot showers and transportation. During Operation "Ripper" and "Killer", he was wounded for the second time and was evacuated aboard the hospital ship Repose to Japan and then to Great Lakes.
He graduated from Eastern Illinois University, in Charleston, in 1956 with a BS in Physical Education and in 1969 with a Masters in School Education. He received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1956, a Platoon Commander in Okinawa, and a Military Adviser and Training Officer to the Navy Seabees. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 after serving for 30 years. His personal decorations include a Bronze Star with Combat "V" ribbon, Purple Heart with "Gold Star" Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Ribbon, Navy Occupation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon with Silver Star and Bronze Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, United Nations Ribbon, and Republic of Korea War Service Ribbon.
He married Marcia Allan in 1954 in Edwardsville, Il. They have four children.
He was preceeded in death by daughter, Kari.
"The Major" touched many lives throughout his teaching career. He taught 2 years in Williams Military Academy in Wheaton, IL, and 7 years in junior high in Nokomis, IL. In 1969 he moved to Calipatria teaching there from 1969-1985 then teaching at ICOE for 5 years returning to Calipatria in 1990 and retiring in 1998.
Visitation will be held Monday, December 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Frye Chapel in Brawley.
Church services will commence at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18 at Frye Chapel in Brawley, with burial following at Riverview cemetery.
Henry Allen "Sonny" Carter was born Feb. 6, 1930 in Gillespie, IL and passed away Thursday, December 13.
He graduated from Gillespie High School in 1948 and enlisted in the US Marine Corps soon afterward. He completed boot camp at Parris Island, SC, and ran on the track team at Camp Lejeune, NC. He made All Marine Champion and was presented with a trophy by the then Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Clifton B. Cates in June 1950. Later that month, he was promoted to Corporal. He made the Inchon Landing as a Fireteam Leader in Charlie Co. 1 Battalion 1st Marine Division.
Later he was promoted to Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. He fought through Yondongpo, Seoul, Wonsan landing in North Korea, "Chosen Reservoir" and fought in 40 degree below zero weather while surrounded by 10 Chinese Divisions. His group maintained combat integrity and fought their way out to Hungnam, where the Navy Seabees provided hot showers and transportation. During Operation "Ripper" and "Killer", he was wounded for the second time and was evacuated aboard the hospital ship Repose to Japan and then to Great Lakes.
He graduated from Eastern Illinois University, in Charleston, in 1956 with a BS in Physical Education and in 1969 with a Masters in School Education. He received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1956, a Platoon Commander in Okinawa, and a Military Adviser and Training Officer to the Navy Seabees. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 after serving for 30 years. His personal decorations include a Bronze Star with Combat "V" ribbon, Purple Heart with "Gold Star" Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Ribbon, Navy Occupation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon with Silver Star and Bronze Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, United Nations Ribbon, and Republic of Korea War Service Ribbon.
He married Marcia Allan in 1954 in Edwardsville, Il. They have four children.
He was preceeded in death by daughter, Kari.
"The Major" touched many lives throughout his teaching career. He taught 2 years in Williams Military Academy in Wheaton, IL, and 7 years in junior high in Nokomis, IL. In 1969 he moved to Calipatria teaching there from 1969-1985 then teaching at ICOE for 5 years returning to Calipatria in 1990 and retiring in 1998.
Visitation will be held Monday, December 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Frye Chapel in Brawley.
Church services will commence at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18 at Frye Chapel in Brawley, with burial following at Riverview cemetery.
He graduated from Gillespie High School in 1948 and enlisted in the US Marine Corps soon afterward. He completed boot camp at Parris Island, SC, and ran on the track team at Camp Lejeune, NC. He made All Marine Champion and was presented with a trophy by the then Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Clifton B. Cates in June 1950. Later that month, he was promoted to Corporal. He made the Inchon Landing as a Fireteam Leader in Charlie Co. 1 Battalion 1st Marine Division.
Later he was promoted to Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. He fought through Yondongpo, Seoul, Wonsan landing in North Korea, "Chosen Reservoir" and fought in 40 degree below zero weather while surrounded by 10 Chinese Divisions. His group maintained combat integrity and fought their way out to Hungnam, where the Navy Seabees provided hot showers and transportation. During Operation "Ripper" and "Killer", he was wounded for the second time and was evacuated aboard the hospital ship Repose to Japan and then to Great Lakes.
He graduated from Eastern Illinois University, in Charleston, in 1956 with a BS in Physical Education and in 1969 with a Masters in School Education. He received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1956, a Platoon Commander in Okinawa, and a Military Adviser and Training Officer to the Navy Seabees. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1978 after serving for 30 years. His personal decorations include a Bronze Star with Combat "V" ribbon, Purple Heart with "Gold Star" Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation ribbon with two Bronze Stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Ribbon, Navy Occupation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon with Silver Star and Bronze Star, Korean Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, United Nations Ribbon, and Republic of Korea War Service Ribbon.
He married Marcia Allan in 1954 in Edwardsville, Il. They have four children.
He was preceeded in death by daughter, Kari.
"The Major" touched many lives throughout his teaching career. He taught 2 years in Williams Military Academy in Wheaton, IL, and 7 years in junior high in Nokomis, IL. In 1969 he moved to Calipatria teaching there from 1969-1985 then teaching at ICOE for 5 years returning to Calipatria in 1990 and retiring in 1998.
Visitation will be held Monday, December 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Frye Chapel in Brawley.
Church services will commence at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18 at Frye Chapel in Brawley, with burial following at Riverview cemetery.
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