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John Carpenter

Technical Sergeant (Ret.) John Carpenter served in the Army from 1935 -1936 and re-enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II in 1943 as a logistician. He was honorably discharged from service after the war ended in 1945.

During his service, Carpenter was invaluable to the 9th Air Force’s 88th Air Service Squadron. At 29 years old, Carpenter was one of the highest ranking and oldest soldiers left in his unit after they stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day. Carpenter spent his post-military career working for Headquarters 8th Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.

His unit moved through Europe supporting the P-47 Thunderbolts during the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. His actions earned him honorary medals to include the Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor.

After retiring in 1980, Carpenter focused on growing tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and squash in his backyard to provide vegetables to a local food bank to feed those in need.