From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

Carter, John Ray

(born: 1894  -  died: 1918) John Carter was born July 1894 in Frankfort, Franklin County, and is later listed on the 1900 Anderson County Census as the son of John H. & Laura Carter. He served in the U.S. Army with the 369th Infantry Regiment (known as the "Harlem Hellfighters") who fought in France. Carter is found on a list of World War I soldiers compiled by Mr. Wyatt Shely, Anderson County historian. John's brothers, Samuel (167th) and Ira (801st Pioneer Infantry) both served in World War I as well. 

John Carter was killed in action in 1918 while serving in France, officially listed as killed "on or about October 16, 1918," but his last letter home was dated October 22, 1918. He is the only black soldier from Anderson County to die in World War I and is buried at Woodlawn Hills Cemetery in Anderson County.

Contributor

Entries compiled by Anderson County Historical Society's Luther Allen Davenport.

Kentucky County & Region

Read about Anderson County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.
Read about Franklin County, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Kentucky Place (Town or City)

Read about Frankfort, Kentucky in Wikipedia.

Outside Kentucky Place Name

France

Cite This NKAA Entry:

“Carter, John Ray,” Notable Kentucky African Americans Database, accessed October 11, 2026, https://nkaa.uky.edu/nkaa/items/show/300005218.

Last modified: 2025-10-27 20:28:55