During the Revolutionary War, Bruce Carter I was given a special mission by General George Washington. He was to deliver secret plans to a part of the American forces. Carter stopped at an inn and was killed by British agents. For failing his mission, Carter's spirit was cursed to roam the earth. In 1941, Carter's spirit appeared to his descendant, Bruce Carter III. He bestowed a magic cloak to Carter III, which the younger Carter used to become the Fighting Yank. Carter I used his abilities as a ghost to aid Yank against the Axis Powers of World War II.