Joseph “Joe” Edwin Carpenter married Miss Ruth Douglas Williams on September 23, 1939 at Clinton, TN. They were both graduated from UT in 1938 with degrees in agriculture.
He was a son of Joseph Jacob Carpenter and Bernice Smith.
He is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and memorialized at Susong Family Cemetery in Bridgport, TN.
The Asheville Citizen-Times, 13 July 1945:
Mrs. Joe E. Carpenter of 289 South French Broad avenue will receive a decoration from Col. R.E. Willoughby, commanding officer of the Army Redistribution station. Lt. Carpenter’s posthumous award is the Silver Star. Lt. and Mrs. Carpenter’s young son, Edwin Douglas, and Mrs. Carpenter’s mother, Mrs. John Hastings, of Asheville, will accompany Mrs. Carpenter to the ceremony this afternoon. Mrs. Carpenter, the former Miss Ruth D. Williams, was reared in Marion and Bryson City.
Lt. Carpenter’s citation reads: “On Jan. 4, 1945, a strong force of enemy infantry attacked the left platoon of his company and forced it to withdraw. Lt. Carpenter, realizing the seriousness of the situation, organized his command post personnel, and launched a counterattack which halted the enemy advance. He then personally regrouped the remainder of the left platoon while under heavy enemy fire and attacked with such force that he restored the original line. By securing the battalion flank, he released the reserve company to support other units. In a later action he was mortally wounded by enemy fire. His courage and inspiring leadership exemplify the highest standards of the military service.”
- Rank: First Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 26 August 1915
- Date of death: 13 January 1945
- County: Hancock
- Hometown: Parrottsville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 372nd Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Battle of the Bulge
- Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Joe E. Carpenter
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