He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor, for his actions on March 23, 1945, near Speyer, Germany.

[5] Carter was refused re-enlistment in the Army in 1949, due to allegations that he had communist contacts and allegiances, related to his affiliation with the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain, and a "Welcome Home Joe" dinner.

[7] In the early 1990s, it was determined that black soldiers had been denied consideration for the Medal of Honor in World War II on grounds of their race.

In 1993, the Army contracted Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, to research and determine if there was racial disparity in the review process for recipients of the Medal of Honor.

A study commissioned by the Army described systematic racial discrimination in the criteria for awarding decorations during World War II.

In 1996, after an exhaustive review of files, the study recommended that ten black Americans who served in World War II be awarded the Medal of Honor.

The Medal of Honor was given to Carter's son, the descendants of the other five black Americans, and the only still-living recipient, Vernon Baker, on January 12, 1997.

[10] The president of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to: Staff Sergeant Edward A. Carter Jr., United States Army For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty in action on 23 March 1945.

At approximately 0830 hours, 23 March 1945, near Speyer, Germany, the tank upon which Staff Sergeant Carter was riding received bazooka and small arms fire from the vicinity of a large warehouse to its left front.

Staff Sergeant Carter volunteered to lead a three-man patrol to the warehouse where other unit members noticed the original bazooka fire.

An enemy machine gun burst wounded Staff Sergeant Carter three times in the left arm as he continued the advance.

Staff Sergeant Carter refused evacuation until he had given full information about what he had observed and learned from the captured enemy soldiers.

Staff Sergeant Carter’s extraordinary heroism was an inspiration to the officers and men of the 7th Army, Infantry Company Number 1 (Provisional) and exemplify the highest traditions of the military service.