Interview of Thomas W. Carr by Katherine Player

March 26, 2013

Thomas Carr graduated from The Citadel in 1950. Upon graduation, he accepted a job offer from the Army and immediately attended Coast Artillery training. Completion of his training sent Carr to fight in the war in Korea. As he was traveling to Korea, he was informed that he would be placed in the Military Occupation Specialty of Field Artillery, a specialty in which he had no prior training. While traveling to combat, he was trained for his new MOS. In Korea, Carr received a Purple Heart for being shot while he was a forward observer. Upon completion of the war, Carr returned to the United States, married his wife and remained in the service for seven and a half years in which he took command of two antiaircraft artillery schools and a battery of antiaircraft artillery at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn.

Carr had three children while in the service. After retiring due to disability, Carr was given the golden opportunity of being chosen to found and head the White House Fellowship Program. From its inception, the Fellowship has helped developed some of the most brilliant minds in America and allowed our future leaders to work alongside Cabinet members to gain a better understanding of the U.S. government before continuing on in their respective careers. In addition to covering his service in the Army, Carr’s interview explores his passion for education, a passion that he says grew out of his Citadel experience.

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