HAROLD MORRIS CARTER was born in Montgomery, AL, to James J. and Eva Jane Carter. He had two younger brothers, David and James, and one sister, Kathy. Harold graduated from Sidney Lanier High School with honors, where he was a Junior ROTC cadet company commander his senior year.

Hal's family roots in the deep south were evident early in his Plebe year to his "right" and "left" coast "wives" Wright and Fitzpatrick - as he tried to "hep" them with the various roommate duties. The first December snowfall Plebe year brought Hal to his third floor window in the 50th Division Barracks, where his exclamation "WOW, look at them!" attested to his first look at Yankee snowflakes. He never had any one particular "drag," but he was always available to "y'all" when a proficient date was at hand. And, speaking of "hands," Hal, early in his cadet career, was tagged affectionately with the nicknames "Hands" or "Monk" Carter - a moniker that did not refer to any monastic tendencies but to his unusually long arms. Hal was a well-balanced cadet - never deficient and always available as an academic coach. Hal’s temperament was always calm and focused-there was never a crisis that he didn’t resolve quickly and quietly. No matter what the circumstances, Hal could be depended upon to pitch in as a team player. Hal had the misleading ability to twinkle his eves in jest while posing an ostensibly serious comment that belied his true "backdoor" humor. Even Plebe "calls" became a source of Hal’s humor-inserting a screw-type flashbulb in the light fixture above the upperclassmen’s sink in the pre-dawn hour, that appropriately startled the room’s upperclass occupants when they flicked the switch-typified Hal’s attitude of keeping a good sense of humor and a proper perspective. He always had an unspoken appreciation, respect, and love for his classmates, an attitude we all shared mutually toward him.

Upon graduation, Hal reported to Ft. Benning, GA, and completed the Infantry Basic, Airborne, and Ranger training. He was selected for the Army Aviation flight program at San Marcus, TX, and Ft. Rucker, bringing Hal back to "home-sweet-home" Alabama. Harold's next assignment was a short stint as aide to the Commanding General at Ft. Bragg, NC. Receiving orders to USAREUR, Hal reported to the 3rd Armored Division in Butzbach, Germany, where he served in various Infantry command assignments until he was selected as aide to GEN Pugh, 3rd Armored Division Commander in Frankfurt, Germany. There, Hal met his future wife, Wilhelmina ("Helena"). Implying that she was so much more worldly than he, Hal told everyone that "I was just a child when I met Helma." Hal always called her "my Kraut."

In 1963, Hal returned to Ft. Benning, for the Advanced Course. In 1964, Helma came to the U.S. and she and Hal married in Montgomery. Hal was next assigned to the newly-formed 11th Air Assault Division in Ft. Benning. He and the division were deployed to Viet Nam and immediately engaged in active combat support roles. Hal lost many good friends to the war and hated the overall effect it had on the U.S. military. He never seemed to be quite the same after serving two tours in Viet Nam. His second tour there was with the 1st Cavalry, 9th Division, where he also met up with some of his classmates. Hal had the chance to bunk with Fox MacCarthy in the same tent. As Fox remembers, Hal would always look for somewhere to take a shower-as everyone had to wait their turn. When Hal’s turn finally arrived, he was drying off when the announcement of incoming shellfire attack was made. Hal and Fox had to dive into the dirt under his bunk. He was muddy all over again, and it took days to get to another shower. Another anecdote was that Hal could sleep at the drop of a hat anywhere, regardless of how hot. He was very happy when he found out he could meet Helma for R&R in Hawaii. Otherwise, Hal never talked about Viet Nam.

Upon his return from southeast Asia and a brief assignment to Ft. Meade, MD, Hal went to CGSC. His next assignment was to Ft. Benning, where he had the thankless, but important, task of cleaning up the club system. Hal’s energy and enthusiasm to make it a "job well done" took the clubs’ finances out of the "red" and rebuilt the club system patronage.

In 1975, Hal was reassigned to USAREUR in Weisbaden, Germany, a beautiful community on the Rhein. That made Helma very happy, because this was the first time she had returned home. Hal was the G-3, Chief of Exercise Division, at V Corps Headquarters and was promoted to colonel. Hal’s final assignment, before his retirement in 1984, was as Installation Manager at the Defense Supply Agency in Richmond, VA.

Helena and Hal bought a house in Chesterfield, VA, where they remained until his death of colon cancer. Childless for their 34 years of marriage, Hal and Helena found a loving, extended family wherever the Army took them. Hal was greatly respected among his peers for the professional credit he brought to the Infantry and will always be remembered for his devotion to Duty, Honor, Country. Hal cared about people and was a loyal friend to all those who needed him. He had a very visible presence, mainly due to his ever-present cigar - a habit he acquired early in his career from his platoon sergeant. Hal was a true "southern gentleman," a gifted conversationalist, a thoughtful guy who enjoyed challenges, and one who especially appreciated the fellowship of good friends.

Hal's gravesite overlooks the Pentagon helipad-a most befitting resting place for a dedicated soldier, infantryman, aviator, warrior, loving husband, caring brother, trusted friend, and a proud classmate. Hal will be missed and long remembered. . . . so think of his faring on, as dear in the love of there as in the love of here. . . think of f him still as the same, and say "he is not dead, he is just away."

His wife Helena, classmates, and friends