Carleton F. Bryant

Carleton Fanton Bryant (November 29, 1892 – April 11, 1987) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice Admiral. He distinguished himself as Commander of the Gunfire Support Group of the Assault Force "O" during the amphibious invasion of the coast of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.

Bryant later led Center Support Group of the Western Naval Task Force during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August 1944, before returning to the United States for duty as Commander Fleet Operational Training Command, United States Atlantic Fleet.

Bryant graduated with Bachelor of Science degree on June 6, 1914, and was commissioned Ensign on that date. He was subsequently assigned to the battleship USS Wyoming and took part in the Veracruz Expedition in autumn 1914. Bryant then participated in the patrol cruises in the Caribbean and following the United States' entry into World War I, he sailed for Europe, where he took part in the naval operations with the British Grand Fleet. He was promoted to Lieutenant (junior grade) on June 6, 1917, and to temporary rank of Lieutenant on August 31 that year.

Bryant was promoted to Commander on June 30, 1934, and ordered as Naval Inspector of Ordnance to the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation at Quincy, Massachusetts, in March of the following year. He returned to sea duty in February 1937, when he assumed command of patrol gunboat USS Charleston with whom he later took part in the exercise off the coast of Balboa, Panama.

Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Meritwith Combat "V" and 2 " Gold StarsMexican Service MedalWorld War I Victory Medal with " Fleet ClaspAmerican Defense Service Medal with "A" DeviceAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 " service starsWorld War II Victory MedalDistinguished Service Order with Bar (United Kingdom)Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)French Croix de guerre 1939–1945 with Palm