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Carter Hunt served his country with bravery and distinction in the United States Marine Corps. in the Vietnam War. He retired as a Captain. Growing up in Leominster, MA he attended Boston College, where he was a starting defensive end on the BC football team, graduating in 1968. He did OCS (Officer Candidate School) in Quantico, VA, graduated in the beginning of April. From there, Captain Hunt went to Basic School and graduated in September.
He was sent to Vietnam in October of 1969 and described it as, “a busy place….we were scrambling to headquarters to get our assignment.” His 1st assignment would be with Echo Company, 5th Marine Division where he was Rifle Platoon Commander. His first day entailed a truck ride out to Hill 52 where his company commander introduced him to his Platoon Sargent. “We were on the hill with regional forces of the Vietnamese…..spent lots of time on patrol in rice paddy’s…..every now and then, we’d come into contact with the enemy….we moved to the Arizona Territory where we came into contact with the enemy frequently.” He continued. “In combat, you have to depend on your squad leader….my platoon had been together for a while, so we had experience in combat.”
When I asked Captain Hunt about the holidays, he laughed and offered this: “My first holiday in Vietnam was Thanksgiving….got menus on a piece of paper…..got turkey & mashed potatoes in Vac cans (sealed containers)…..got a can of beer and a can of soda….there was a lot of bartering going on with guys who drank and didn’t….we also got a cake from the previous Marine Corps. Birthday” he remembered. He also spoke about a dark day. “We lost (2) Marines at Son Vu Gai when a grenade exploded prematurely…..there’s no way to really explain it….losing a Marine…..you’re living cheek to jaw…...you’re part of a team….an integral part of a team….not something that you can ever describe…..it happens in combat but you have to keep going with your mission” he said.
Captain Hunt also shared another incident on combat. “We were patrolling on Go Noi Island….got news we were going to be ambushed….my lead squad heard activity….got into a firefight…..stayed overnight and the next morning we found (2) VC bodies with A-K’s with 4-5 magazines…..went to a new position on Go Noi Island….we took on fire and I was wounded….unfortunately, it was our own guys that fired upon us….killed two of my sergeants and wounded (3) other Marines….found out that our location wasn’t put on the maps back at headquarters” he remembered. His thoughts on the protesters? “That’s what we were doing, defending the right of free speech, religion, etc…..the only thing that bothers me is the people that went to Canada and didn’t serve in some capacity….I believe in universal service…..everybody should do something, not just the military….Peace Corps., nursing homes….something” he said. I asked Captain Hunt what it’s like to be a Marine. “It’s a special feeling….we’re a band of brothers, all going through the same experience…..gone through the tough times and want to do the right thing” he said.
How was it to serve his country? “First of all it’s an honor which was instilled in me from the beginning…..duty, honor country…..country, family, church….my dad was a WWII Vet…grandfather fought in WWI and the Spanish American War….also had great-grandfather’s who fought in the Civil War….if I was going to fight, I wanted to fight with someone who knew how” he said. He was awarded the Purple Heart in Vietnam.
Captain Carter Hunt, welcome home and thank you for your service to our great country.
He was sent to Vietnam in October of 1969 and described it as, “a busy place….we were scrambling to headquarters to get our assignment.” His 1st assignment would be with Echo Company, 5th Marine Division where he was Rifle Platoon Commander. His first day entailed a truck ride out to Hill 52 where his company commander introduced him to his Platoon Sargent. “We were on the hill with regional forces of the Vietnamese…..spent lots of time on patrol in rice paddy’s…..every now and then, we’d come into contact with the enemy….we moved to the Arizona Territory where we came into contact with the enemy frequently.” He continued. “In combat, you have to depend on your squad leader….my platoon had been together for a while, so we had experience in combat.”
When I asked Captain Hunt about the holidays, he laughed and offered this: “My first holiday in Vietnam was Thanksgiving….got menus on a piece of paper…..got turkey & mashed potatoes in Vac cans (sealed containers)…..got a can of beer and a can of soda….there was a lot of bartering going on with guys who drank and didn’t….we also got a cake from the previous Marine Corps. Birthday” he remembered. He also spoke about a dark day. “We lost (2) Marines at Son Vu Gai when a grenade exploded prematurely…..there’s no way to really explain it….losing a Marine…..you’re living cheek to jaw…...you’re part of a team….an integral part of a team….not something that you can ever describe…..it happens in combat but you have to keep going with your mission” he said.
Captain Hunt also shared another incident on combat. “We were patrolling on Go Noi Island….got news we were going to be ambushed….my lead squad heard activity….got into a firefight…..stayed overnight and the next morning we found (2) VC bodies with A-K’s with 4-5 magazines…..went to a new position on Go Noi Island….we took on fire and I was wounded….unfortunately, it was our own guys that fired upon us….killed two of my sergeants and wounded (3) other Marines….found out that our location wasn’t put on the maps back at headquarters” he remembered. His thoughts on the protesters? “That’s what we were doing, defending the right of free speech, religion, etc…..the only thing that bothers me is the people that went to Canada and didn’t serve in some capacity….I believe in universal service…..everybody should do something, not just the military….Peace Corps., nursing homes….something” he said. I asked Captain Hunt what it’s like to be a Marine. “It’s a special feeling….we’re a band of brothers, all going through the same experience…..gone through the tough times and want to do the right thing” he said.
How was it to serve his country? “First of all it’s an honor which was instilled in me from the beginning…..duty, honor country…..country, family, church….my dad was a WWII Vet…grandfather fought in WWI and the Spanish American War….also had great-grandfather’s who fought in the Civil War….if I was going to fight, I wanted to fight with someone who knew how” he said. He was awarded the Purple Heart in Vietnam.
Captain Carter Hunt, welcome home and thank you for your service to our great country.
Boston College
Football
Vietnam
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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Well done, Captain Hunt. Thank you for your service as a United States Marine. Casualties resulting from friendly fire seem to plague all of our combat units. The toughest job of a casualty assistance officer is explaining to loved one how they happened. I left active duty as soon as I returned home, so I never had to serve as a casualty assistance officer. The idea of serving in that capacity scared the crap out of me. Facing the enemy in combat was child’s play compared to facing grieving parents, wives and children. I don’t think I would have had the courage to do that.
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Thank you for your service Captain Hunt. I would of been proud to serve under you. I served under a Lt. John Glenn with the 1st BN. 1st Marines and was proud to serve under him also. I learned a lot under my First Sergent Flores Diez and he was a great Marine also. I was wounded on January 19, 1969 by a tank we were Medevacing a fellow Marine on hit a mine and blew us all off of it. I spent 3 to 4 days in the Danang Hospital and returned to my unit and because of my hearing being damaged, I resupplied the troops with everything they needed. I was and am proud to be a Marine and to be able to serve under people like Captain Hunt. Semper Fi Marine. SGT E.M. Stewart
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