Pictured here (click photo to enlarge) is Maria Lacayo VAVS Rep. at the Miami VA Medical Center and Georgie Krell past National President for the American Goldstar Mothers. The Miami VA Medical Center is named after Georgie Krell son Bruce W Carter who was killed in action during the Vietnam War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism. Mrs. Krell is training volunteers to work at the greeter/information desk.
Pictured here (click photo to enlarge) at the Bruce W Carter VA Medical Center, Miami, FL is Maria Lacayo VAVS Rep. for UVS and Astrid Isom a UVS volunteer at the Greeter/Information Desk.
Pfc. Carter was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1971 for his actions in combat by President Richard M. Nixon. Below are words in Pfc. Carter’s Medal of Honor citation.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to PRIVATE FIRST CLASS BRUCE W. CARTER UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Grenadier with Company H, Second Battalion, Third Marines, Third Marine Division in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 7 August 1969, Private First Class Carter’s unit was maneuvering against the enemy during Operation Idaho Canyon and came under a heavy volume of fire from a numerically superior hostile force. The lead element soon became separated from the main body of the squad by a brush fire. Private First Class Carter and his fellow Marines were pinned down by vicious crossfire when, with complete disregard for his own safety, he stood in full view of the North Vietnamese Army soldiers to deliver a devastating volume of fire at their positions. The accuracy and aggressiveness of his attack caused several enemy casualties and forced the remainder of the soldiers to retreat from the immediate area. Shouting directions to the Marines around him, Private First Class Carter then commenced leading them from the path of the rapidly approaching brush fire when he observed a hostile grenade land between him and his companions. Fully aware of the probable consequences of his action, but determined to protect the men following him, he unhesitatingly threw himself over the grenade, absorbing the full effects of its detonation with his own body. Private First Class Carter’s indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and selfless devotion to duty upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.”