GySgt Carter (Gomer Pyle, USMC)

First of all, Vince Carter was a Gunnery Sergeant...not a buck sergeant. The differences between a sergeant and a gunnery-sergeant include rank authority and paygrade. The Marine Corps is definitely rank-concsious, so a GySgt is not addressed as Sergeant, but as Gunnery Sergeant or as Gunny. In the episode of the Andy Griffith Show when Gomer Pyle reported for basic training at Camp Wilson Marine Corps Recruit Depot, GySgt Vince Carter wore the following decorations: Purple Heart Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal (4th Award?) United Nations Service Medal along with two marksmanship badges with Q tabs. As rough-talking as GySgt Carter was, he never physically abused nor once assaulted Pvt Pyle nor any of the other Marines placed under his care. Back in the 1960's, some recruits were beaten up by their drill instructors. One must presume that MCRD Camp Wilson became a casualty of some government cut-back program.