Leonard K Carter

Greenville (Texas) Morning Herald, Saturday, 29 Apr 1944, page 1:

"Leonard K. Carter Killed Plane Crash

Aviation Cadet Leonard K. Carter, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Carter of the Kellogg community, was killed Friday when his training plane crashed three miles north of the Army Air Field at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.

The body will be shipped to Greenville and is expected to arrive some time today.

Cadet Carter was born and reared in the Kellogg community and attended the public schools in this city, graduating from Greenville high school in 1938. He entered the services about eighteen months ago and was assigned to the Infantry, later transferring to the Air Corps for pilot training. He was in his basic flight training at Walnut Ridge when he was killed.

He is survived by his parents, eight brothers and one sister: Herbert Carter, who is stationed in Washington state; J. C. Carter, California; Howard, Dalton, Billy, Raymond, Donald, Albert and Lois Marie Carter, all of whom reside at home."

Greenville (Texas) Morning Herald, Wednesday, 3 May 1944, page 6:

"Cadet Carter Rites Today

Funeral services for Leonard Kenneth Carter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Carter, who was killed in an airplane crash at Walnut Ridge, Ark., will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at the Tidwell Church, conducted by Rev. Weldon Drake, assisted by Rev. Harrison Baker.

Pallbearers will be: Paul Martin Shields, Ray Long, Dale Sprinkle, Ray Shields, Berlin Baker and E.A. Dinsmore.

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 Record
about Leonard K Carter
Name: Leonard K Carter
Birth Year: 1920
Race: White, citizen
Nativity State or Country: Texas
State: Texas
County or City: Hunt
Enlistment Date: 18 Jul 1942
Enlistment State: Texas
Enlistment City: Dallas
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 1 year of college
Civil Occupation: Geographer
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 71
Weight: 126

On 28 April 1944 it was reported Cadet Leonard Kenneth Carter was killed in a routine military training flight at the Walnut Ridge training base in Arkansas. He was the 39th plane crash fatality of that air base during WWII and maybe not the last. Seems the training may have been more dangerous than combat. Let us not forget those brave men who died for their country training for combat. I really hope to find out more details of what happened to my uncle and others who were killed training at Walnut Ridge.

Also, he was known by his family as "Kenneth" or by his nickname "Jeff".  How did he get the nickname Jeff you ask? Seems he and his older brother, Herbert Carter, were very close growing up and were always seen together wherever they went.. they resembled comic strip characters.. "MUTT & JEFF"... Herbert too had enlisted in the Army during WWII and he carried the nickname "MUTT" for the rest of his natural life. 

R.E. CARTER (nephew)