James William McCarter, Jr., Captain, United States Marine Corps

James William McCarter, Jr.
Captain, United States Marine Corps

Full Name: JAMES W MCCARTER JR.
Date of Birth: 4/29/1940
Date of Casualty: 10/14/1967
Home of Record: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Branch of Service: MARINE CORPS
Rank: CAPT
Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM
Casualty Province: QUANG TRI
At 0230 on 14 October 1967, enemy mortars shelled Company G. Direct hits by RPGs destroyed a machine gun emplacement and several backup positions on the primary avenue of approach into the company position.

The NVA force attacked through this break, overran the company command post, and killed the company commander, Captain Jack W. Phillips, and his forward observer. Three platoon leaders, two of whom had just arrived in Vietnam that morning, also died.

The battalion sent its S-3A, Captain James W. McCarter, Jr., to replace Phillips, but enemy fire killed him before he reached Company G.

During the confused, hand-to-hand combat some of the North Vietnamese fought their way within grenade range of the battalion command post in the center of the position.

On 14 October 1967, Golf Company, 2/4 Marines, and the 2/4 Marines Command Post were occupying a defensive position which protected a bridge on the road from Con Thien to Cam Lo.

Early in the morning hours the position received heavy mortar and artillery fire, followed by an enemy ground assault. The enemy forces penetrated the perimeter and inflicted heavy casualties before being ejected. The ferocity of the fight can be judged by the posthumous awards (one Medal of Honor and four Silver Stars) and the casualty count: 20 dead Marines and sailors.

MCCARTER, JAMES JR
CPT USMC
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
DATE OF BIRTH: 04/29/1940
DATE OF DEATH: 10/14/1967
DATE OF INTERMENT: 10/26/1967
BURIED AT: SECTION 6 SITE 5744-A-1
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
Posted: 31 October 2004