Mark Carr to be inducted Saturday into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame
Cairo native and Donalsonville resident, U.S. Army Reserve Lt. Col. Mark Simpson Carr, will be inducted into the 2023 Class of the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 4. Announcement of the induction, together with 14 other deserving Georgia veterans, was made by 2013 GMVHOF Founder Col. Paul Longgrear (USA-Ret) of Pine Mountain.
“This year’s honorees will be inducted during the 11th Annual Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame Ceremony and Banquet at noon on Saturday, November 4, in St. Luke Ministry Center, 30111th St. in Columbus,” said Col. White. He advises that while this event is open to the public, seating is limited. Advance reservation details may be accessed on the Hall of Fame website at http://www.GMVHOF.org.
Upon graduation in 1963 on a track scholarship from University of Georgia, Mark received a direct commission into the Medical Service Corps.
In 1966 Capt. Carr graduated from flight school and deployed to Vietnam as a dustoff medical evacuation pilot where he completed over 400 daring rescue missions. While assigned to the 45th Med Co(AA), during one of many dustoffs evacuating patients amidst intense enemy fire in support of the 25th Infantry Division near Cu Chi, Republic of Vietnam, he was forced to abort due to tail section damage. He then proceeded to a second hot landing zone. Despite the helicopter’s windshield shattering from arms fire while delivering the wounded, he obtained another aircraft with a second crew, eventually evacuating 28 wounded soldiers. Capt. Carr was awarded the Silver Star for these exceptionally heroic actions.
Months later, while assigned to the 571st Med Det(HA), in support of the 101st Airborne Division near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, Capt. Carr maneuvered his helicopter into a hot landing zone in a heavily wooded area four separate times, successfully evacuating 24 wounded for which he was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
According to Hall of Fame Director and Chairman of the Board Col. Rick White (USA-Ret), Hall of Fame nominees must have ties to Georgia and qualify in one of three categories: valor for heroic action in combat; outstanding achievement while in service, or significant local, state or national contributions after leaving active duty.