Col. John M. Carr, Jr., Ret, (Army), 89 of Fairfax County, VA passed away on May 18, 2017 in Winchester, VA.
Col. Carr was born in 1928 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of the late Catherine and John M. Carr, Sr. After graduating high school, joined the U.S. Army and began his military career of 32 years. While in the service he completed both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree.
Col. Carr was commissioned a Military Intelligence (MI) officer after completing Officer Candidate School in 1952. He served in a number of intelligence-related positions at all levels of national, strategic and tactical commands. Some of these positions included the Plans and Training Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters, Army Security Agency (ASA); commander of the ASA Division Support Company in Korea; and instructor in the Morse Branch, Communication Intercept Department, at the ASA Training Center and School, Fort Devens, Massachusetts.
In 1965, he was Special Assistant to the Joint Command Intelligence Officer, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), intimately involved in special Signals Intelligence projects. He then became Deputy Chief, Intelligence Production Division, US Army Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, where was responsible for theater-wide all-source intelligence production and order of battle. Two years later, Col. Carr took command of the ASA 7th Radio Research Field Station in Udorn, Thailand, the Army’s largest and most sophisticated collection facility in Southeast Asia. Col. Carr remained there until 1969, providing invaluable intelligence support to US combat forces in Vietnam. He was then assigned as the Executive Officer, MI Branch, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (DCSPER), Headquarters, Department of the Army. In this assignment, he was responsible for the assignment and military careers of more than 6,000 MI officers.
Returning to ASA in 1973, Col. Carr commanded the ASA Field Station Berlin until 1975. After graduating from the Army War College in 1976 he was assigned to Headquarters ASA as Chief, Plans and Programs Office. In that role Col. Carr became Program Manager for the Intelligence Organization and Stationing Study. That Study resulted in the integration of all Army Intelligence assets into the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command. Concurrently it resulted in new doctrine related to provision of intelligence support to Army elements at Echelons Above Corps. Subsequently, he served as Chief of Staff of Army Security Agency and Chief of Staff of the Intelligence and Security Command. Retiring in 1980, Col. Carr was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Among his other awards and decorations were the Legion of Merit with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster. Col. Carr was inducted into the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame in 1988.
His loving wife of 62 years, Lois H. Carr, whom he married on February 16, 1952 at Fort Knox, KY, preceded him in death on August 9, 2014. Lois was devoted to John, his career, and raising their family. After their retirement John and Lois loved spending time at their beach house with their family, friends, and “the dogs”.
Survived by their son, John M. Carr, III of PA, daughters, Donna C. Tambor and husband, Steve of VA, Susan C. O’Donnell of WV; grandchildren, Ashley M. Tambor, J. Travis O’Donnell, Kristin L. McWhorter and husband, Taylor, Erin K. O’Donnell, Colin A. O’Donnell; and great grandsons, Mac C. and Lennox K. McWhorter. Also survived by his brother, James T. Carr and wife, Geri of NJ and their families.
In addition to family, John and Lois are survived their beloved Boxer, Shelby, 13 ½ years old.
A funeral service will be conducted at 9 am on Monday, October 16, 2017 at Arlington National Cemetery. Guests received at Administration Building at 8:15 am.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association National Capital Chapter, 11240 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.