Bruce W. Carter

Bruce Wayne Carter was a United States Marine who served during the Vietnam War. Born in Schenectady, New York, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1968. He was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, where he served as a private first class with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division.

On August 7, 1969, during Operation Idaho Canyon north of Cam Lộ in Quảng Trị Province, Carter's unit came under intense hand grenade and automatic weapons fire from a concealed North Vietnamese Army company. To save the lives of his fellow Marines, Carter threw himself on a North Vietnamese hand grenade, absorbing the full force of the blast. He was mortally wounded in this action.

For his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Carter was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His extraordinary heroism and self-sacrifice reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps. He was also awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, and several service medals for his combat service.