- SURNAME
Carpenter
- FORENAME
William Richard
- UNIT
505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Commanding Officer 2 Bn)
- RANK
Major
- NUMBER
0-450256
- AWARD
Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Military Cross
- PLACE
Europe
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MIA - see Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/carpenter-william-r.20823/CITATION:
Military Cross : William R. CARPENTER, (0-450256), Captain, Infantry, US Army. For gallantry in action on 19 September 1944, ½ mile north of RIETHORST, HOLLAND. A force of 250 German parachutists, supported by one Mk V tank four .20 mm flak guns and heavy mortars, attacked the positions of two platoons of our infantry. Captain CARPENTER, Battalion Executive Officer, personally took command of the situation and beat off every hostile assault during a 36 hour period of incessant enemy effort to penetrate our positions. He acted also as forward observer and adjusted fire for supporting mortars and artillery. In the course of the engagement he received shrapnel wounds, but refused to be evacuated until the enemy had been decisively repulsed. On one occasion, he broke up a flank attack killing seven Germans with his rifle. Throughout the prolonged attack, Captain CARPENTER's superb courage and gallant leadership were an inspiration to his outnumbered men. His example enabled them to maintain our front lines intact and prevent an enemy break through.
WEB LINKS:
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53433145/william-richard-carpenter (Memorial)FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56297429/william-richard-carpenterNATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7402823
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