Posted by TKehoe for JJ Dale USAFA '63 on May 6, 2003:

William Thomas (?Bill?) Carter, Class of ?57, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep the morning of April 15th. J.J Dale, a long-term, close friend assisted Bill?s wife with the family-only military memorial service on April 17. J.J. Dale wrote the following to Max Kovel: Bill's death was a shock to all who knew him. I had dinner with Bill on the 14th at the Club and he was in a great mood. He worked at the Landing Gear Test Lab at W-P AFB and that Monday had gone very well. Things don't always go well in a full scale, potentially destructive test environment. He never complained and worked at concealing the pain in his back, but he displayed no discomfort that evening. He was in a good mood and Nancy said that good mood continued when he got home. The two calls the morning of the 15th were an unbelievable shock: first from the Lab and 2nd from Nancy. She had fallen asleep watching TV and when she awoke she went to get Bill up as he was late: he always got up very early hour as he arrived at the Lab ~ 6 AM every day and the farm is ~ 35 minute drive from the Base. Bill's and Nancy's home is on ~10 acres ~ 6 miles south of Xenia Ohio. Their house is in farm country and has a quiet stream flowing through. It is a serene environment. The address is: Nancy Carter,1758 Ireland Rd., Xenia, Ohio 45385 (937) 372-7023 A family only memorial service, including the traditional firing, playing of taps and presentation of the flag was conducted by the Air Force Honor Guard from W-P was held at 7PM on April 17 at McColaugh Funeral Home, 826 N. Detroit Street, Xenia, OH 45385 All 9 of Bill's "kids" made it to the military memorial ceremony on the 17th. It was a most fitting tribute for this warrior. Bill and his first wife (daughter of a USMA Phys Ed instructor I believe) had 6 children and Nancy had 3 children by her first marriage. All 9 children attended the memorial service. These 9 children and Nancy all gave a tribute to Bill. Following the family comments, I gave a short memorial (see below) reflecting on Bill's distinguished service to our country. I presented this just before the honor guard marched in on the 17th. He was rock solid engineer and a great soldier: we miss him dearly. Please be advised that I provided Nancy and the children the Memorial points of contact for USMA and Arlington, but the family has not yet made a decision on where to bury the ashes. Eulogy William Thomas Carter, Lt. Col. USAF (Retired), met his final roll call on April 15, 2003. Colonel Carter enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an Air Force fighter pilot and Aerospace Engineer. He was born in Decatur, Georgia on December 27, 1934. In June of 1953, Plebe Carter began his first year at the United States Military Academy. Four years later he graduated with the Class of 1957. Following graduation, Lieutenant Carter completed pilot training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma. After upgrading to the F-100, he completed tours in Okinawa and at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Captain Carter next completed his Masters in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech in 1966. After a 4-year tour of teaching at the Air Force Academy, he completed survival training and fighter weapons training in the F-4 before shipping out to Southeast Asia. During the Viet Nam War, Major Carter flew 125 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom, and in 1971 was selected for Flight Commander in the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron based at Ubon, Thailand. After Viet Nam he served in logistics management at Warner-Robins AFB, Georgia. His last duty station was Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, where Lieutenant Colonel Carter held three different positions in the Aeronautical Systems Division. His first assignment was with the 4950th Test Wing as an Aerospace Engineer. The second assignment was Deputy Director of Engineering for the F-15. His third and last Air Force assignment was Chief Engineer for the B-52 Advanced System. From this post he retired from active duty in 1979. Colonel William T. Carter (USAF, Retired) then became Chief of the Aerosystems Division of Systems Research Laboratories, Inc., (now Veridian Corp.). In this position he held primary responsibility for the design, integration and test of numerous aerospace defense systems. Colonel Carter continued making significant contributions to aerospace research and test programs at Wright-Patterson AFB until his death. Colonel Carter is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College. He also completed a variety of technical, management, and air combat training courses. His awards and commendations include: Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster; Republic of Viet Nam Service Medal, Campaign Medal, and Gallantry Cross with palm; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters; Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Colonel Carter will be remembered as a courageous and outstanding fighter pilot, an extremely competent and dedicated engineer, an effective and ethical manager, and, a selfless leader of those who had the good fortune to serve under him. Colonel Carter is survived by his wife Nancy, nine children, five grandchildren, one sister, three nieces and one nephew, all of whom he loved dearly. Colonel Carter: You have faithfully served the United States of America with integrity and uncommon valor, and now you have met the final roll call. On behalf of a grateful nation we commend you for honoring your commitment to: Duty, Honor and Country. J.J. DALE, USAFA 63 2622 BLUE ROCK DRIVE BEAVERCREEK, OHIO 45434 PH (937) 429-4141 FAX (937) 429-2908 CELL (937) 581-2908 jjeddale@att.net

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