The Capture of U-505: QMS2 Don Carter

Warriors In Their Own Words | First Person War Stories

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Signalman 2nd Class Don Carter served on the USS Guadalcanal in World War II. The ship hunted U-Boats, which had terrorized American convoys in the Atlantic. As a signalman, it was his job to use flags and lights to send messages to other vessels.

On June 4th, 1944, the Guadalcanal spotted and captured U-Boat 505, the only one obtained by the U.S. Navy during the entire war. The information gained by its capture, namely the captain’s code book, was crucial to the war effort. This success was kept top secret, and the public only learned about it after the war.

LTJG Albert L. David was awarded the Medal of Honor for securing the sensitive materials that day.

U-505 was transported back to the U.S., and now sits at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Carter’s pistol is also on display at the museum.

Editor’s Note: Carter’s rank at the time of his retirement is unknown. Signalman 2nd Class reflects his rank at the time of U-505’s capture.

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