Warren L. Carpenter

Warren L. Carpenter (August 12, 1931 in Little Rock, Arkansas – July 7, 2003 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Air Force, including serving as the Department of Defense's Chief Medical Officer for military space shuttle missions, serving as one of six Residents in Aerospace Medicine selected to fly on medical evacuation aircraft to bring home the U.S. prisoners-of-war from North Viet Nam on the final repatriation leg of Operation Homecoming, and earning six Service awards for marksmanship. He was a descendant of William Carpenter (born c1730-1750 - died c1803) of Brunswick County, Virginia. Cadet Warren L. Carpenter, Virginia Military Institute, ca. 1951

Education Carpenter attended Virginia Military Institute from 1950–1952 and briefly in 1953, with an interruption in his education to serve an active duty tour in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. and shot on the Arkansas Rifle Team, and he earned a private pilot's license. After graduation, he worked as a geologist with a major oil company from 1956 to 1960, then returned to school to study medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Military service Carpenter began his military career by enlisting in the Marine Corps Reserves in 1949. He was called to active duty in October 1950 and attained the rank of sergeant before completing his enlistment in April 1952. In 1983, he was appointed Vice-Commander of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine. Carpenter's last assignment was as Director of the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board, at the USAF Academy. He retired on June 17, 1997 in the rank of colonel as a Chief Flight Surgeon with 31 years of service and more than 3,200 flying hours.

Honors Colonel (Dr.) Carpenter's military decorations include two Defense Superior Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, two Air Force Commendation Medals, two U.S. Navy Marksmanship Medals, two U.S. Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbons, and two U.S. Air Force Marksmanship Badges. Dr. Carpenter was a Life Member of the Air War College, a Patron Member of the National Rifle Association of America, a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Arkansas School of Medical Sciences, a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans, a Past National Chairman of the Medical Explorer Scouts of the Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the American Medical Association, Arkansas State Medical Board, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, Society of USAF Flight Surgeons, Aerospace Medical Association, Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, University of Arkansas Alumni Association, Sigma Gamma Epsilon Geological Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, and the Colorado State Shooting Association.

Medals received

Defense Superior Service Medal w/ 1 OLC Legion of Merit Medal Bronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal w/1 OLC Air Medal w/2 OLCs Joint Service Commendation Medal Air Force Commendation Medal w/1 OLC Joint Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/3 OLCs, 1 V Device Air Force Organizational Excellence Award w/4 OLCs USMC Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal w/2 Service Stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Campaign Devices Southwest Asia Service Medal w/1 Campaign Device Humanitarian Service Medal Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon w/6 OLCs Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon w/1 Device Air Force Training Ribbon Navy Expert Rifleman Medal Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Vietnam Campaign Medal