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Category: Obituaries Obituaries
Published: 11 May 2015 11 May 2015

James Wilbur Carter, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest Friday, May 8, 2015 at Fort Bayard Medical Center. He was born March 16, 1923 in Owensboro, Kentucky to William Thomas Carter and Beulah Baize. M/Sgt. Carter proudly served his country with the U.S. Air Force during WWII. He was an aerial gunner with 22nd Bomb Wing's 33rd Bomb Squadron. In an incident on March 24, 1945, his plane, a B-17G, was crippled by enemy flak forcing Carter and the rest of the crew to abandon her. Mr. Carter was badly wounded on the shoulder and couldn't get around after his pilot ordered him to jump. He and two others from another bomb group ended up in a makeshift sort of camp known as Stalag III A at Luckenwald, Germany.

Carter was treated at a hospital area; gangrene was setting in his shoulder. A Yugoslavian doctor who was a prisoner also cared for Carter, visiting him daily. He was bedridden and feverish with constant pain from his shoulder wound and spent the next 72 days in a small, dark room. The results were the beginnings of his experience as a Prisoner-of-War in Germany during WWII.

James is survived by his loving wife Patricia G. Carter of the family home; two step-sons, Rick Shandley of Silver City; John Shandley (Renee) of Ft. Collins, CO; four grandchildren, Dani Nicole Shandley-Wasson, Thomas Duane Shandley II, Jocelyn Miller and Jentry Honor Shandley. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 12, 2015 from 5-6pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the prayer vigil and holy rosary to begin at 6pm. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at 10:30am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery with Father Matthews officiating. Concluding service interment will follow at Fort Bayard National Cemetery with full military honors. Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfunralchapel.com.