OBITUARY INFORMATION FROM THE WALL OF FACES WEBSITE:
HONORED ON PANEL 22E, LINE 76 OF THE WALL
FRED W CARPENTER
WALL NAME: FRED W CARPENTER
PANEL / LINE: 22E/76
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/18/1946
CASUALTY PROVINCE: QUANG NGAI
DATE OF CASUALTY: 06/28/1967
HOME OF RECORD HOBART
COUNTY OF RECORD: Lake County
STATE: IN
BRANCH OF SERVICE: ARMY
This information and these pictures were obtained from: https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/7988/FRED-W-CARPENTER/.
INFORMATION PROVIDED BY EARL McDOWELL:
Deceased Classmate: Fred Warren Carpenter
Date Deceased: June-28-1967
Age at Death: 20
Cause of Death: Killed in Action Vietnam
Classmate City: Hobart
Classmate State: IN
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: Yes Army
Awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart
William Vernigor (1964)
Fred W. Carpenter
Awards and Citations
Awarded posthumously for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Fred W. Carpenter (ASN: 55885165), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, at Hoa Tan, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 March 1967. As Sergeant Carpenter and his company approached the village, heavy fire was received from Viet Cong positions. Realizing that his unit was in a precarious position, Sgt Carpenter immediately maneuvered his squad into position from which it could place effective fire on the enemy. Then with complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged forward and silenced a heavily fortified enemy bunker with two grenades. With this bunker eliminated, the platoon was able to maneuver once more. Throughout the entire encounter, Sgt Carpenter continued to direct his squad, personally positioning and directing the fire of individual members. His heroic actions and decisive leadership contributed to the accomplishment of the unit's mission. Sergeant Carpenter's outstanding display of aggressiveness, devotion to duty, and personal bravery is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Action Date: 6-Mar-67
Service: Army
Rank: Sergeant
Company: Company B
Battalion: 1st Battalion
Regiment: 35th Infantry Regiment
Division: 25th Infantry Division
William Vernigor (1964)
We both lived on Main St. before joining the army. Fred lived in an apartment across from Abbott's; me next to Art Theater.
Ivan Hiestand (1964)
A true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and for the the people of South Vietnam. If you search Westlake High School in Austin , TX, there is a school project dedicated to those killed in action in Vietnam. Click on Fred's name to see a wonderful tribute in his honor. I assisted a student there in completing the project about Fred. Lest we forget.
James (Jim) Garretty (1964)
I remember Fred.........every night I say a prayer for him and Ralf Saunders, for their bravery and for their dedication to America. I must have played a 1000 games of basketball with Fred......he was a master of dribbling and could fake me out every time. I hope we can play again......in the hereafter; I miss his sense of humor and his tremendous competitive spirt. Rest well my old friend. Thank you for all you gave.
Earl McDowell (1964)
I remember playing football on Sunday aftenoon at Mundell school with Fred. I don't think anybody knows just how tough and strong Fred was. Hero is a word that gets thrown around alot these days. Just because you were in the military doesn't make you a hero. In Fred Carpenter's case he was a true hero. I am proud I can call him my friend. The same for Ralf, a true American hero. With the 4th of July coming up soon, please remember what they gave for our freedom.
Larry Benson (1964)
Iv'e never mentioned this before because it still haunts me. I'm not sure of the exact dates, but about a week before Fred was KIA, I was at the 90th Relacement Battalion getting ready to come hone from Vietnam, I was walking down the campbase road to their little PX when a convoy of trucks was coming in towards me. Just as they were about pass me they stopped. This guy manning the 50 cal on the gun ring of the lead 5 ton truck holds up the convoy and yells down to me. I"ll never forget,"Larry, what the hell you doing", I told him I was short and only a few days left in country. So Fred replys "well don't let that door hit you in the ass cause I'm right behind you". It wasn't unusual for an infantry soldier when out of the field and their rotation to do security duty. We said our goodbyes and the convoy continued on. I didn't get a chance to visit with him. About a week or so later after processing out of the Army through Oakland Army Terminal, I was home walking down 3rd street when a girl (not sure who now) stopped me and welcomed me home. Then she said (are you going to the funeral". I asked whose funeral. She said Fred's. I remember being shocked and getting very emotional, I remember aplogizing. I couldn't believe how such a short time ago I was talking to him and how excited he was to see me and of how soon he too would be coming home. Such a tragedy to realize he did beat me home.