Melvin Carter

Melvin Carter was the husband of the late Willie Mae (Knox) Carter.  Originally from Bossier City, LA,  Melvin moved to Rhode Island during his military career and called Providence his home.  Melvin served on active duty with the United States Navy from August of 1955 until December of 1981.  After active duty Melvin joined the Fleet Reserve from January of 1982 until June of 1985.  He retired with the rank of Master Chief Petty officer.  During his tour of active duty, Melvin's duty stations included US Navy Naval Recruit Training Command San Diego Calif, USS Essex (CV-9), Commander Fleet Air, Naval Air Station, Quonset Point, Rhode Island, Mobile construction battalion seven, USS Trippe (FF-1075), USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) and instructor, Naval Officer Candidate School, Naval education and training center, Newport Rhode Island.  Melvin served aboard the USS Essex (CV-9) in 1958 during the turmoil in Lebanon and the islands of Matsu and Quemoy in the Taiwan Strait. Melvin also was stationed in 1962 at Naval quarantine of Cuba.  He also served two tours of active duty in Vietnam with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Seven from 1968 to 1969 Dong Ha, Vietnam 1969 to 1970 Chu Lai, Vietnam.  During his years of service in the United States Navy, Melvin was awarded the Good Conduct Medal six times, the National Defense Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Armed Force Expeditionary "E", Vietnam Campaign Medal with a silver star, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Meritorious unit citation, Sea service ribbon, M-16 Marksman ribbon and (4) letters of commendation.  Melvin was a graduate of Mitchell High School of Bossier City, Louisiana.  He was the salutatorian of the class of 1955. Melvin completed the Naval Instructor/training School and the Navy Leadership and management program.  After his transfer to the Navy Fleet Reserves and prior to full retirement, Melvin graduated from a Real Estate Management program and was employed as a Resident manager with Marshall Properties in Rumford, Rhode Island for two years until his departure in 1983.  Melvin left Marshal to work full time as Property Manager for Ferland Property Management until his retirement in 1997.  Melvin, after his retirement, spent most of his time in the garden.  Melvin was an avid gardener and was one of the founding fathers of the Southside Community Garden in South Providence. Melvin was the father of the late Melvin Jr. Carter, the late Henry Ray Carter. He leaves his son Kelvin Wayne of Providence, as well as one sister Lillie Mae Fields from Shreveport Louisiana, four grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends.  Melvin will be buried at the Veterans Cemetery in Exeter Rhode Island with full military honors.

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