Paul was the second born in a family of ten children, with seven brothers and two sisters. He grew up on a farm in the town of Glenwood, Minnesota. His mother died in the 30’s, when Paul was still a boy. Paul joined Able company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. He served in this company as a (light) machine gunner. After parachute and infantry training Paul’s regiment was sent to England to prepare for the invasion of fortress Europe. On D-day, June 6th, Paul jumped into Normandy. He was killed in action on his second combat jump during operation Market garden. At the end of the forest, they had to cross a meadow behind the Sanatorium of Son to reach the road bridge. But, when they reached the edge of the forest, they were pinned down by enemy fire. The Germans were shooting at first battalion with 88 mm guns. The fire was so intense, that Paul’s company suffered enormous casualties. One of the shots fired by the 88 mm gun hit Paul and his assistant machine gunner, Pfc Prentice Hundley, killing both men instantly. The two ammo bearers who were with them, Pfc Earl Borchers and Pfc Donald Liddell, were seriously wounded. He is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, the Netherlands.

Source of information: http://www.ww2marketgarden.com/pfcpaulcarter.html