Memory Of War Hero Lives-On At Miami Springs High School

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MIAMI SPRINGS (CBSMiami) – A memory of a war hero will live-on in the hallways of Miami Springs Senior High School.

Private First Class Bruce Wayne Carter, a Miami Springs Senior High alumni, was honored by way of a plaque and a ceremony held Wednesday for his courage and commitment to our country.

"I won't forget him and I won't let anybody else forget him and that's what I've done all these years is keep his name alive," said Georgie Carter Krell, Carter's mother.

During the Vietnam War in August of 1969, Carter sacrificed his own life and threw himself onto a grenade to save the soldiers standing around him.

Click here to watch Gaby Fleischman's report. 

"It was a crushing blow to say the least. To lose my brother, my big brother, but it's what he wanted to do to help our country," said Cheryle Carter Nevins, Carter's sister.

After Private First Class Carter's death, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

He is the only soldier in Miami-Dade County to receive that recognition.

Miami's VA Hospital is also named after him.

"It's a pride and it's changed my life," his mother said.

The plaque dedicated in Carter's honor will serve as a symbol for Miami Springs students to truly understand his sacrifice.

"In a day and age where heroes are lacking this is someone the students can really look up to as someone who committed themselves to their country," said Miami Springs High School Principal Edward Smith.

Leslie Perez, a student at the school, said she feels honored that Carter attended her same school.

"I feel very honored to be here at our school and be a Golden Hawk and walk the hallways that he once walked," Perez said.

During the ceremony, the Mayor of Miami Springs also made June 3 Bruce Wayne Carter day.