Carleton Fisher

Major General Carleton Edward Fisher was born Feb. 1, 1913, in Clinton, Maine. He was one of the earliest fingerprint experts in Maine, a professional photographer, appointed constable on his 21st birthday, and a game warden for Maine. 

He enlisted in the Maine National Guard in 1935 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1939. During World War II he was with the Second Infantry Division in France and later a battalion commander with the 29th Infantry Division in Germany. After the war he was commissioned in the regular Army, served as the first executive officer of the Psychological Warfare Center, when it was established to activate the first Special Forces unit.

He was sent to Turkey to train a Turkish division, and later was in Germany for three years. He did two tours in the Pentagon, first on the Army General Staff and later as chief of training for the Defense Atomic Support Agency. Here he was in charge of all the nuclear weapons training for the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps.

After retiring from the Army he returned to Maine, and was commanding general of the Maine State Guard, from which he retired with the rank of major general. General Fisher was town manager of Readfield, Maine, in 1970 and 1971. An Eagle Scout, he was scoutmaster of troops in Clinton and Benton, Maine, Scout commissioner in the Waterville, Maine, area, and in Schweinfurt, Germany.

He graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, and the University of Maryland. Charlton had two sons, Darrell and Donn, and a daughter, Lucille, and a stepson, J. Robert Gray. He was married, Sophie, who was aas Sue. 

He held offices in several genealogical and patriotic organizations, including, president, National Genealogical Society; president and organizing trustee of the Board for the Certification of Genealogists; genealogist general, National Society, Sons of the American Revolution; genealogist, Florida Society, SAR, and president, Clearwater Chapter SAR. He was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, with John Alden, William Mullins, George Soule, and Edward Doty as his ancestors. 

Eight books were published by Charlton, including "Soldiers, Sailors, and Patriots of the Revolutionary War -- Maine," and "Soldiers, Sailors, and Patriots of the Revolutionary War -- Vermont." 

His decorations include the Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart Medal, General Staff Identification Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and a number of service medals. He received commendations from Gov. James Longley and Gov. Kenneth Curtis for his work with the State Guard.

Carleton retired to Largo, FL in 1973 and passed away June 8, 2008, in Dunedin, FL.