Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War A.F.C. group of eight awarded to Wing Commander J. T. Carter, Royal Australian Air Force

Air Force Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated 1965; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, the three Second War awards all officially named ‘437929 J T Carter.’; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (04430 J. T. Carter.); U.N. Korea 1950-54 (04430 J. T. Carter.); Vietnam 1964-73 (04430 Carter. J. T.) naming very faintly impressed; South Vietnam Medal 1964, 1 clasp, 1960-, unnamed as issued, all Rhodium plated and mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine (8) £1,800-£2,200

A.F.C. London Gazette 12 June 1965.

John Thomas Carter was born in Adelaide, South Australia, on 19 March 1925 and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 24 April 1943. Awarded his Flying Badge (Pilot) on 16 January 1944, he was discharged in the rank of Warrant Officer on demobilisation on 18 January 1946, after 2 years and 270 days’ service.

Carter re-enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force on 2 February 1948, and served as a Pilot with No. 30 Communications Flight in Korea from 1 April to 17 October 1951. He was granted a commission on 1 March 1953, and saw further service with No. 1 Operational Support Unit in Vietnam from 28 April 1967 to 1 April 1968. Advanced Wing Commander, he retired on 14 June 1974. A letter of appreciation from the Air Board on the occasion of his retirement states:
‘I should like to mention the valuable contribution you made in your appointment as Resident Air Force Officer and later as Commander, Air Component, Joint Force in Papua New Guinea. You performed your duties most creditably and did much to ensure the smooth functioning of the headquarters. I should also like to comment on your well-deserved award of the Air Force Cross. This was a fitting testimonial to the outstanding skill and competence you displayed during your tour of duty as a VIP aircraft captain in No. 34 Squadron.’

Sold with the recipients three Certificates of Service and Discharge; letter to him on the occasion of his retirement, dated 5 July 1974; and copied research.