Jesse McIlvane Carter (April 12, 1863 – June 23, 1930) was a United States Army Major General who served as Chief of the Militia Bureau.

Early life Jesse McI. Carter was born in Farmington, Missouri on April 12, 1863.George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Aacdemy, Volume 6, Part 1, 1920, page 429 He attended the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, from where he later graduated (37th in a class of 77) in June 1886,Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 69. . OCLC 40298151. the same year as fellow Missourian John J. Pershing, who graduated 30th.Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy, Annual Report , 1926, page 40 Carter was appointed a second lieutenant in the 3rd Cavalry.George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, 1901, page 425

Start of career Carter served in a variety of assignments throughout the United States at the beginning of his career, including postings during the Indian Wars to Fort Ringgold, Texas with the 3rd Cavalry, and Forts McIntosh, Clark and Sam Houston, Texas with the 5th Cavalry. From 1890 to 1891 he was commandant of cadets and an instructor at Norwich University.William Arba Ellis, Norwich University, 1819–1911: Her History, Her Graduates, Her Roll of Honor, Volume 3, 1911, page 592 From 1893 to 1894 he served as a recruiting officer in Indianapolis, Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky. In the years immediately prior to the Spanish–American War, Carter commanded Troop C, 5th Cavalry at New Orleans, Tampa, Mobile and Huntsville.George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Supplement to Volume IV, 1901, page 425

Spanish–American War In 1898 Carter was appointed mustering officer for Georgia and Tennessee, responsible for recruiting and swearing in officers for the volunteer units formed to fight the Spanish–American War.

In 1900 he was appointed a captain in the Porto Rico Regiment, a volunteer organization raised shortly after the end of the war.George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Supplement to Volume IV, 1901, page 425

Post Spanish–American War Carter was appointed a captain in the 14th Cavalry in 1901. He served at Forts Leavenworth and Logan, in the Philippines, and at Walla Walla, Washington until 1909.George W. Cullum, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, Volume 5, 1910, page 389

In 1909 Carter began two years of service on the Army General Staff. He was promoted to major in 1911.

From 1912 to 1914 Carter served as a member of the Cavalry Board, the committee charged with reviewing tactics, weapons and equipment, and making recommendations for improvement.United States War Department, Cavalry Service Regulations, United States Army (Experimental), 1914, page 3

In 1914 Carter was again assigned to the 3rd Cavalry, serving on the Mexican Border in Texas during unrest caused by the Mexican Revolution.George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, Volume 6, Part 1, 1920, page 429

Pancho Villa Expedition Carter served as a squadron commander with the 12th Cavalry in Panama in 1916. Later that year he was promoted to colonel and commanded the 12th Cavalry on the Texas–Mexico Border during the Pancho Villa Expedition.George Washington Cullum, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, Volume 6, Part 1, 1920, page 429

World War I In 1917 Carter was appointed to head the Militia Bureau, the forerunner of the modern National Guard Bureau. He served until mid-1918, helping federalize and mobilize National Guard units for World War I. He was promoted to brigadier general in 1917 and temporary major general later that year.Wall Street Journal, , November 29, 1917St. Petersburgh Independent, "Mann Commands 'The Rainbow'", December 21, 1917New York Times, "New Major Generals and Brigadiers Named", August 23, 1918

In August, 1918 Carter was appointed commander of the 11th Infantry Division, at Fort Meade, Maryland, and began training in anticipation of front line service in France. The Armistice took place before training was complete, and the division did not leave the United States.Richard J. Beamish, America's Part in the World War, 2005, page 562

Carter received the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his World War I service.Military Times, Hall of Valor, Distinguished Service Medal citation, Jesse McIlvaine Carter, accessed March 28, 2013 The citation for the medal reads:

Post World War I Carter reverted to his permanent rank of brigadier general after the war, and returned to the Militia Bureau. Until his retirement he advocated for reforms to the National Guard, including a plan to have state Adjutants General be appointed from among officers of the regular Army. He also planned for the National Guard's post-war reorganization and reequipping, taking steps to standardize training and other requirements in order to align them with the regular Army.National Guard Bureau, , accessed March 28, 2013

Carter retired in 1921, and resided in Wharton, Texas.New York Times, "Gen. Jesse Carter Retires", October 2, 1921

Retirement and death After retiring from the Army, Carter was employed by St. Louis's Missouri-Lincoln Trust Company as manager of its Texas holdings. He later worked as a manager for the Wharton Development Company.Marquis Who's Who, Who Was Who in American History -- The Military, 1975, page 87

Carter died in Houston, Texas on June 23, 1930, as the result of complications after surgery for appendicitis.State Historical Society of Missouri, Missouri Historical Review, Volume 25, 1931, page 173Associated Press, "Military Leader Dies in Houston After Operation," Corsicana Daily Sun, June 23, 1930 He was buried in Farmington.Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy, Annual Report , 1931, page 225

Congress subsequently passed a special act making Carter a permanent major general on the retired list, to date from June 21, 1930.George Washington Cullum, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Volume 7, 1930, page 239

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