FLEMING ISLAND— A Purple Heart recipient and veteran of World War II Pacific Theater battles in Saipan and Iwo Jima died Nov. 25. He was 102.

On Sept. 30, 1919, Winton Wright Carter was born in Rockingham, Georgia, which was three months after the Treaty of Versailles was signed. Carter enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in the summer of 1939 and served for 22 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant.

During the Second World War, Carter served on the USS Tattnall, at Coco Solo United States Naval Submarine Base in the Canal Zone and in the South Pacific and Central Pacific areas. He completed Parachute School about four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Carter was awarded a Purple Heart on June 15, 1944, after he was wounded from fighting on Saipan Island in 1944. According to remarks on the House floor by then-Rep. Ted Yoho for Carter’s 100th birthday, Carter was present for the iconic flag-raising on Iwo Jima.

Carter’s experience in Saipan is briefly captured in author James H. Hallas’ “Saipan, The Battle That Doomed Japan in World War II.” Carter is not quoted in the book directly, but he describes the woodsmoke in Japan reminding him of Florida. A shell struck his tank, killing the driver and another passenger. Carter, struck by a piece of shrapnel, helped pull a severely wounded man out of the shallows to the beach.

In 2019, Carter’s 100th birthday was recognized at the county’s Veterans Appreciation Day ceremony. Former County Commissioner Gayward Hendry, also a Marine, read a proclamation declaring Sept. 30, 2019, as “Winton Wright Carter Day.”

“I think that when he reports to that final duty station and walks through those gates to the good lord, maybe the commandant is going to say, ‘Welcome home brother. You’re a good and faithful servant.’” Hendry said. “So, amen for Winton Wright Carter and those millions like him.”

Carter’s daughter, Karen Martin, said her father was kind, but quiet about his service. Carter did not frequent parades or similar-style events.

“I was overwhelmed at first, seeing all the things he had done,” Martin said. “I’m just so proud he did all the things that he did. He didn’t brag about it. He was quiet about it.”

In the 1970s, Carter moved to Clay County to work in civil service after his military career. His nickname to some was “Sarge.” Martin said her father was kind and reserved.

“Even when we were kids … we would roughhouse,” Martin said. “He was so calm. All he would do was say something and we would respect him. He was just a very laid-back person.”

Martin said Carter was an active member and ordained deacon at Fleming Island Baptist Church, now Crosspointe Church. Carter had a love of fishing, walks and taking his travel trailer across the country with his wife Norma Jean. They were married for more than 60 years.

Martin also recalled Carter meeting with a small group of veterans for breakfast.

“He had a good life, so that’s a blessing,” Martin said.

Carter’s funeral was held at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens on Dec. 2 with full military honors from the Marine Color Guard.