The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Warrant Officer (W-1) Walter Andrew Carpenter (ASN: W-3160146), United States Army, for gallantry in action in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force while serving with Troop B, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry, 1st Aviation Brigade, in the Republic of Vietnam on 8 March 1969. Warrant Officer Carpenter distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as pilot of an OH-6A light observation helicopter involved in an aerial reconnaissance mission. Deep in an area of known enemy activity, he discovered a trail which had recently been used. In order to gain more detailed information, he flew his ship to an extremely low altitude. Upon entering the area, he immediately began receiving a barrage of enemy automatic weapons fire. He returned the fire with extreme accuracy, and silenced one position. Focusing his barrage of deadly fire on a second position, he made a low level pass and completely destroyed it. As he was departing the area, his ship was taken under fire by a hidden position and Warrant Officer Carpenter was seriously wounded. The ship was severely damaged and forced to crash land. As the ship crashed into the thick jungle, it burst into flames and Warrant Officer Carpenter was mortally wounded. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.