At the time of his death he was State Selective Service director a post to which he was named in 1946.Major General George M. Carter, who retired in April after serving 17 years as adjutant general, succumbed at his home of cancer Thursday. He was 64. Gen. Carter had a term of service unequaled in the adjutant general's department.
At the time of his death he was State Selective Service director a post to which he was named in 1946.
General Carter was honored at his retirement, April 30; at a testimonial dinner which he attended in Augusta despite his failing health. At that time national and state, civic and military leaders paid tribute to his outstanding military career, one which he carved after more than 20 years as an educator.
A native of Washburn, General Carter attended the University of Maine. He left college during World War I and served with the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe where he distinguished himself. He returned to the state university and received his degree in 1920.
General Carter then went to Columbia University where he received a Master's Degree in education. In 1948 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Maine.
He joined the Maine National Guard in 1923 and the same year became school superintendent for Caribou and Limestone, a post he held for 18 years. In 1938 he was elected president of Maine Teachers' Association.
Prior to his appointment as school superintendent, General Carter taught at Washburn, Wade and Perham.
General Carter was a national Guard captain when he became adjutant general during his term of office he was appointed by various governors - both Democratic and Republican - a tribute to his ability and devotion to duty.
The Maine Guard left for federal service in World War II, at about the time he took charge in 1941, and under his direction, a wartime State Guard was organized and trained for home defense.
Maine's Guard expanded and developed under his leadership and 11 new armory buildings were erected during his tenure. General Carter also worked on plans, before his retirement, for further expansion of Guard facilities.
General Carter also worked tirelessly for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. He served as state March of Dimes chairman from 1948 to 1954.
At the time of his death, General Carter was a member of the National Guard Association's Council, the Masonic bodies, the Augusta Rotary Club, a life member of the Maine Teachers Association, the American Education Association, the American Association of School Administrators and a member of the American Legion, V. F. W., and Sigma Chi fraternity.
A 15-gun salute was fired at noon Thursday at Camp Keyes, Maine's military headquarters, and flags were ordered flown at half mast at all state buildings until Saturday afternoon in honor of General Carter.
Governor Edmund Muskie said in a statement he was deeply saddened to learn of General Carter's death.
He said General Carter was noted throughout the State and beyond its borders for his many years of distinguished service as Adjutant General of Maine."
General Carter is survived by his widow, Myrtle; two sons. G. Milton of Caribou and W. Berkley of Slocum, R. I.; two brothers, Ray W. Carter of Washburn and Claude Carter of Dexter; and two sisters, Mrs. Parker Cushman of Orono and Mrs. Hanford Crouse of Dexter; six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Military funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Augusta State Armory where the General's body will lie in state from 10 o'clock in the morning.
The General's remains will arrive in Caribou Friday evening at the Mockler Funeral Home. He will lie in state at the new Caribou Armory Saturday, from 10 o'clock in the morning until 2 o'clock in the afternoon.
The Rev. George Budd, pastor of the Gray Memorial Methodist Church, Caribou, will conduct committal services at the Riverside Cemetery in Washburn at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon.