Carter's major awards and decorations included the Legion of Merit (three awards), Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (France), Croix de Guerre with palm (France), and Croix de Guerre with palm (Belgium).

[4][5] In July 1917, three months after the American entry into World War I, Carter enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to Company B, 304th Field Signal Battalion.

[10] Carter was included in the contingent of division officers who move from Camp Kearny to Hoboken to aid Shanks in receiving U.S. military personnel, equipment, and vehicles as the army returned from France.

[15] The army promoted polo during the 1920s, believing the game enabled officers to develop leadership and decision-making skills, and Carter took part in numerous tournaments.

[23] In October 1939, Carter left Fort Myer when he was assigned to duty as deputy chief of staff for Intelligence (G-2) with the Panama Canal Department.

[24][25] With the army expanding in anticipation of entering World War II, in April 1941 Carter was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel.

The corps took part in the Operation Overlord invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and continued in combat throughout France, Belgium, and Germany until the war ended in 1945.

[32] After World War II, he was assigned as chief of staff of the Antilles Department, which was headquartered at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.

[33] He was subsequently assigned as chief of staff for the Army General Ground School (AGGS) at Fort Riley;[34] the AGGS was in operation beginning in 1945, and included the army's Officer Candidate School, as well as courses in basic officer skills including land navigation, personnel administration, and military law.

[37][38] In June 1951, Carter was assigned as chief of staff of Second United States Army, which was headquartered at Fort Meade, Maryland.

[43][44] During his command tour, he supervised the division's departure from Korea and return to its regular station at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

[49] Among his activities were serving as director of Richmond's The Valentine museum and chairman of the Chesterfield County chapter of the American Red Cross.

[2] She was the daughter of Colonel R. John Fleming, who commanded the 6th Cavalry, and granddaughter of Brigadier General George Simeon Grimes.

[53] Captain Robert Carter was a 1946 graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point) and veteran of the Korean War who died in a helicopter crash at Fort Benning.