ID: 16016277
Entered the Service From: Illinois
Rank: Private
Service: U.S. Army, 9th Infantry Regiment,

2nd Infantry Division
Died: Monday, April 16, 1945
Buried at: Netherlands American Cemetery
Location: Margraten, Netherlands
Plot: B Row: 13 Grave: 15

Awards: Purple Heart

Pvt. Ralph J. Carter enlisted in the U.S. Army on Saturday, 14 September 1940, at Peoria, Illinois, U.S.A.  He enlisted for service in the Medical Corps, and to be initially assigned to the Panama Canal Department of the U.S. Army.  He enlisted as a Private.  This means that he was probably trained as a medic, and was initially assigned to the U.S. Army forces guarding the Panama Canal.

Pvt. Carter was killed in action on Monday, 16 April 1945.  At that time the 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division was fighting in the area of Pilsen, Czechoslovakia, fighting German SS troops, and Czech SS troops.  According to records, the 9th Infantry was in combat up to the last day of the war.

At the time of his enlistment, his residence was Morgan County, Illinois, U.S.A.  He was married, but was listed single without dependents.  His education was that of completing grammar school.  He did not attend high school or college.  His birth year was 1919