NDCC celebrates Samuel P. Carter Military Heritage Day this week

Published 11:12 am Thursday, December 8, 2022

This week, the Elizabethton High School Navy National Defense Corps (NDCC) is conducting operations in support of Samuel P. Carter Military Heritage Day.

The purpose of these events is to call attention to and celebrate the vibrant military service history of Elizabethton and Carter County. The event’s namesake, Samuel P. Carter, is the only United States Servicemember to attain the rank of both General in the U.S. Army and Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Carter was born in Elizabethton in 1819 to the prestigious Carter family. He attended Duffield Academy and left shortly thereafter to attend Princeton University. Following his graduation from Princeton, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was quickly recognized for his leadership potential and was nominated and selected to attend the United States Naval Academy (USNA). Upon his graduation and commissioning from the USNA, he went on to serve in several conflicts and posts of duty, to include the Mexican American War. Early in the Civil War, Carter was transferred to the U.S. Army with the rank of Colonel at the behest of then Vice President Andrew Johnson to return to his native Carter County and build a regiment of Cavalry. The 13^th Cavalry Regiment was formed mostly of Carter Countians and served honorably throughout the conflict. At the end of the Civil War, Carter resigned his Army commission and returned to active-duty service in the U.S. Navy and served there until his retirement. Carter had several high-level appointments for the remainder of his career, to include Commandant of Cadets at the USNA. Shortly before his retirement, he was promoted to Rear Admiral, completing his decorated and courageous military journey. Carter passed away in 1891 and is buried in Washington D.C. in the prestigious Oak Hill Cemetery.

This week in recognition of the military heritage of Carter County, all students in Elizabethton City Schools will be greeted each morning with a profile of a currently serving Elizabethton native. On Friday, cadets from the NDCC will travel to each school and the Central Office to conduct an awareness briefing of Samuel P. Carter Day and our military heritage as well as two detailed profiles of Carter County veterans and their service. Friday evening, the corps and honored guests will host a “Mess Night” in accordance with United States Marine Corps tradition to build esprit de corps and to propel the next generation to a life of service to their community and their country.