John Joyce Carter (June 16, 1842 to January 3, 1917) was an Irish officer who fought in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Carter received the United States' highest award for bravery during combat, the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor. ...

, for his action during the

Battle of Antietam The Battle of Antietam (), or Battle of Sharpsburg particularly in the Southern United States, was a battle of the American Civil War fought on September 17, 1862, between Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and Union G ...

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...

on 17 September 1862. He was honored with the award on 10 September 1897.

Biography

Carter was born on 16 June 1842 in Westport, Ireland and emigrated to the United States in approximately 1845. He enlisted into the

33rd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment The 33rd New York Infantry Regiment, the "Wimbledon Volunteers", was an infantry regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was mustered in service for the union for two years from 22 May, 1861 to 3 July, 1863. Service This regi ...

at Nunda, New York in May 1861, and commissioned as a

Second Lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...

in June 1862. Following his Medal of Honor action, he mustered out with the 33rd NY Infantry in June 1863. After a short time as a civilian, he was appointed as a Captain of the 1st New York Veteran Cavalry in October 1863. He again mustered out with his regiment in July 1865.1st NY Veteran Cavalry Regimental Roster
/ref> Following the war Carter resided in Pennsylvania and pursued various business ventures including a clothing store in Titusville and an oil company called Carter Oil which later became known as Exxon. He was a companion of the Pennsylvania Commandery of the

Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), or simply the Loyal Legion is a United States patriotic order, organized April 15, 1865, by three veteran officers of the Army. The original membership was composed of members ...

. Carter died on 3 January 1917 and his remains are interred at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Titusville, Pennsylvania.

Medal of Honor citation

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter, John J. 1842 births 1917 deaths Irish-born Medal of Honor recipients People of New York (state) in the American Civil War Union Army officers United States Army Medal of Honor recipients American Civil War recipients of the Medal of Honor Irish emigrants to the United States (before 1923) Burials in Pennsylvania Military personnel from County Mayo

Biography

Medal of Honor citation

See also

References