Carter, Sherwood, Sr., LTC

Sherwood "Nick" Carter, Sr. was born on 16 March 1921 in Texas. He attended college at New Mexico A&M in Las Cruces, NM. In WWII, he served in the 517th Parachute Infantry under COL Lou Walsh. In August 1944, Sherwood made a combat jump into Southern France. The unit was awarded six campaign battle stars and the French Croix de Guerre with Silver Gilt Star. He also served in the 13th Airborne Division, 11th Airborne Division in Japan (Occupation Force) and the 82nd Airborne Division. He was also a charter member of the 187th Parachute Infantry Regiment and made the two Korean War combat jumps into Sunchon Ni and Munsan Ni. He was later reassigned to the 503rd Regiment , 11th Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY.Sherwood also served in West Germany with the 109th Infantry Division and the 10th Infantry Division.
In 1953, Sherwood began his Special Forces career. He subsequently served in the 77th , 10th, 1st, 5th and  Special Forces Groups. In 1957, Sherwood was part of a Mobile Training Team that trained General Chang Kai-Sheck's 50 man cadre on Taiwan. 
During his military career, he received 3 awards of the Combat Infantryman's Badge (WWII, Korea and Vietnam), Broze Star Medal, numerous other awards and campaign ribbons with bronze battle stars and bronze arrowhead devices, Master Parachutist badge with 3 combat jump stars, Glider Badge, and both Chinese and Vietnamese Jump Wings. In 1967, Sherwood retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Five days after retiring, he was sworn in to the US State Department as a Foreign Service Officcer. He attended the Foreign Service Instiutute and the International Police Academy in Washington DC. While he was attending the academy, his classmates nicknamed him "Nick Carter, Private Eye", and the name stuck. Upon graduation, he was assigned to South Vietnam, from August 1967 to 1974. He was present during the 1968 Tet Offensive, 1969 Tet Offensive, and the 1972 Spring Offensive. In Saigon, Sherwood met Bernita Dykeman, who was working as a foreign service secretary. Sherwood and Bea were married by the village chief of the Bien True, Bien Hoa Province. In 1970, they had another marriage ceremony by the Lutheran Chaplain at Bien Hoa Airbase. Sherwood, Jr served with the 7th SFG and as a Lieutenant with the 5th SFG. His youngest son Richard also served with the US Army in Vietnam.
Sherwood was a charter member of SFA Chapter LXXV (75) when it was formed in 1997. Many of the chapter meeting ended with "Nick" telling a classic and humerous SF story from long ago.  
On 24 December 2011, Sherwood "Nick" Cater passwed away in his sleep at his home in San Diego, CA. This American Soldier will be cremated with an intenment at Miramar National Cemetery. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, the Special Forces community, and a country that he served so well.