Lloyd G. McCarter

Private, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War II

Private Lloyd G. McCarter (11 May 1917 - 2 February 1956) was a U.S. Army paratrooper who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, during the battle to recapture Corregidor Island in the Philippines during World War II.

Lloyd G. McCarter was born on 11 May 1917 in St. Maries, ID. During 16-19 February 1945 on Corregidor, Philippine Islands, Private McCarter's heroic actions made outstanding contributions to the success of his company and to the recapture of Corregidor. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Place and date: Corregidor, Philippine Islands, 16-19 February 1945.

Citation: He was a scout with the regiment which seized the fortress of Corregidor, Philippine Islands. Shortly after the initial parachute assault on 16 February 1945, he crossed 30 yards of open ground under intense enemy fire, and at pointblank range silenced a machinegun with hand grenades. On the afternoon of 18 February he killed 6 snipers. That evening, when a large force attempted to bypass his company, he voluntarily moved to an exposed area and opened fire. The enemy attacked his position repeatedly throughout the night and was each time repulsed. By 2 o'clock in the morning, all the men about him had been wounded; but shouting encouragement to his comrades and defiance at the enemy, he continued to bear the brunt of the attack, fearlessly exposing himself to locate enemy soldiers and then pouring heavy fire on them. He repeatedly crawled back to the American line to secure more ammunition. When his submachine gun would no longer operate, he seized an automatic rifle and continued to inflict heavy casualties. This weapon, in turn, became too hot to use and, discarding it, he continued with an M-1 rifle. At dawn the enemy attacked with renewed intensity. Completely exposing himself to hostile fire, he stood erect to locate the most dangerous enemy positions. He was seriously wounded; but, though he had already killed more than 30 of the enemy, he refused to evacuate until he had pointed out immediate objectives for attack. Through his sustained and outstanding heroism in the face of grave and obvious danger, Pvt. McCarter made outstanding contributions to the success of his company and to the recapture of Corregidor.

He was presented with his Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman on 10 September 1945.

Death and Burial

Private Lloyd G. McCarter died on 2 February 1956 at age 38. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Saint Maries, ID.