Milton Gales Carey – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army

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From a contemporary press report:

Milton Gales Carey, Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army Retired, passed away on April 1, 2003, at the age of 77.

Colonel Carey was born in 1926 in Hugo, Oklahoma, to Amie Butler, now deceased. Early in his life he dedicated himself to the protection of the nation and served with honor and distinction in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. In 1942 he volunteered and was among the first African- Americans to integrate the United States Marine Corps.

He participated in the battle of Iwo Jima and landed on D-Day in support of the 5th Division beach party. He was on the beach when the United States flag was raised on Mount Suribachi. Later, he was one of the first Americans to occupy Japan after VJ Day in September 1945.

During the Korean War he was commissioned at Fort Benning and commanded Company B, 2nd Battle Group, 3rd Infantry (The Old Guard). During the Berlin airlift he was assigned to Germany as part of the occupation forces. As a commissioned officer he spent most of his career in the U.S. Army Special Forces and helped to organize the 5th Special Forces Group. He served three tours in Vietnam. His last duty assignment was as executive officer for the U.S. Defense Language Institute in Washington D.C.

Colonel Carey attended Langston University in Oklahoma, the University of Utah, and the University of California in Los Angeles in pursuit of degrees in law, political science and foreign languages including Japanese, Spanish, French, German and Arabic. His university education was completed at San Francisco State College, where he obtained a bachelor of science degree, and his graduate studies at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

After retirement, Colonel Carey became involved in the construction industry and built many buildings in and around the Washington area. He organized a national minority contractors organization that was active in 39 states and the Virgin Islands.

Milton Carey is survived by his loving wife, Laura; his children, Linda, Anthony, Joanne, Harold, David, Reginald and John; his grandchildren, Rabon, Lauren, Conan, Jason, Gillian, Adam, Nicholas, Tseday, Bianca, Devin, Maya and Anyse; and his great-grandchild, Rabon Ramses.

Memorial services will be held April 11 at 2 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 823 Water St., Port Royal, where he was an active and involved member. The Rev. Karen Woodruff will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the St. Peter’s memorial fund in his honor.

Burial services will be held at the Arlington Chapel, Arlington National Cemetery, with full military honors, on April 28, 2003, at 11 a.m. Attendees should arrive prior to 10:30 a.m. to be admitted.

CAREY, MILTON GALES

  • LTC   US ARMY
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 11/24/1945 – 02/29/1972
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 02/15/1926
  • DATE OF DEATH: 04/01/2003
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 04/28/2003
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 66  SITE 7565
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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