THE WALL OF FACES

Walter Andrew Carpenter
Date of birth: December 8, 1947
Date of death: March 8, 1969
Home of record: Binghamton New York
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Silver Star

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Warrant Officer (W-1) Walter Andrew Carpenter (ASN: W-3160146), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop B, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 8 March 1969. Warrant Officer Carpenter distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as pilot of an OH-6A light observation helicopter involved in an aerial reconnaissance mission. Deep in an area of known enemy activity, he discovered a trail which had recently been used. In order to gain more detailed information, he flew his ship to an extremely low altitude. Upon entering the area, he immediately began receiving a barrage of enemy automatic weapons fire. He returned the fire with extreme accuracy, and silenced one position. Focusing his barrage of deadly fire on a second position, he made a low level pass and completely destroyed it. As he was departing the area, his ship was taken under fire by a hidden position and Warrant Officer Carpenter was seriously wounded. The ship was severely damaged and forced to crash land. As the ship crashed into the thick jungle, it burst into flames and Warrant Officer Carpenter was mortally wounded. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
General Orders: Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade, General Orders No. 1486 (April 3, 1969)

Action Date: March 8, 1969

Service: Army

Rank: Warrant Officer

Company: Troop B

Battalion: 7th Squadron

Regiment: 17th Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade

On March 8, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A (tail number 66-07823) from B Troop, 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, operating in Binh Thuan Province (II Corps) was working a ridge line due west of Phan Thiet, when the aircraft was hit by hostile enemy small arms fire (AK-47). Rounds hit the fuselage causing the helicopter to crash. Both the pilot, WO1 Walter A. Carpenter, and the observer, SGT David J. Phillips, suffered fatal injuries in the crash. [Taken from vhpa.org]

Dear WO Walter Andrew Carpenter, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

Standing l-r Dave Russell, Larry Vieley, Dick Cross,

John Applegath and Tom Hanks.

Kneeling l-r Walter Carpenter (KIA) and Rich Oglesby.

 

Photo Credit: Dick Cross

 

Rest in peace with the warriors.

Walter is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City,NY. SS AM-24OLC PH