Charles I. Carpenter

Charles I. Carpenter

Born	(1906-01-13)January 13, 1906 Wilmington, Delaware
Died	February 22, 1994(1994-02-22) (aged 88) Milford, Delaware
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Rank	Major General
Commands held	Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster Belgium Military Cross

Charles I. Carpenter (January 13, 1906 – February 22, 1994) was the first Chief of Chaplains of the United States Air Force.

Early life and education

Born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1906, Carpenter was an ordained Methodist pastor.^[1] He was a graduate of Bucknell University and Drew University.

Carpenter originally joined the United States Army in 1936 and was assigned to Fort H. G. Wright.

In 1942, Carpenter was assigned to The Pentagon to establish chaplaincy work in the United States Army Air Forces. He was later reassigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe during the closing months of World War II. Following the war, he returned to The Pentagon.

After the creation of the United States Air Force, Carpenter was named the first Chief of Chaplains in 1948. The following year, he was appointed to the grade of Major General. Carpenter remained Chief of Chaplains until 1958, when he took up assignment at the United States Air Force Academy.

Awards he received include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and the Belgian Military Cross, First Class.

Carpenter died on February 22, 1994.

Man of the Month - Charles I. Carpenter
Valor Awards - Military Times valor awards for Charles I. Carpenter.
Charles I. Carpenter Papers at Archives of DePauw University and Indiana United Methodism.
Obit from the New York Times on Charles I. Carpenter.
USAF Bio on Charles I. Carpenter.
Religion in the Military - Mentions Chaplain Charles I. Carpenter's appointment by President Truman.
Air Force, ANG chaplains reflect on milestones - Air Chaplain Charles I. Carpenter drafted the order for USAF Chaplains.

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