The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander [then Lieutenant] Allan Russell Carpenter (NSN: 0-657951/2107004), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action on 1 November 1966, as a Pilot serving with Attack Squadron SEVENTY-TWO (VA-72), embarked in the U.S.S. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA-42), during a mission in support of combat operations in Southeast Asia. Lieutenant Commander Carpenter’s mission was to provide missile suppression for a vital photographic-reconnaissance flight in an extremely well-defended area of North Vietnam. When an enemy surface-to-air missile was launched against his flight, he immediately reacted with his own air-to-ground missile and, in the face of a solid barrage of light, medium, and heavy anti-aircraft fire, followed his missile’s track to the launching site to deliver a devastating rocket attack against the missile guidance vans. Determined to inflict maximum destruction, Lieutenant Commander Carpenter skillfully directed additional attacks by his wingmen against the enemy launching site, thereby significantly reducing the anti-air threat in a major enemy complex, and assuring the successful completion of the photographic mission. His daring actions, inspiring leadership, and courageous devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Bronze Star Medal
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Prisoner of War Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1 – 3, 1966
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Allan Russell Carpenter (NSN: 0-657951/2107004), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 1 November to 3 November 1966. Lieutenant Commander Carpenter’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Lieutenant Commander Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
August 1967
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Commander Allan Russell Carpenter (NSN: 0-657951/2107004), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in August 1967. Lieutenant Commander Carpenter’s captors, completely ignoring international agreements, subjected him to extreme mental and physical cruelties in an attempt to obtain military information and false confessions for propaganda purposes. Through his resistance to those brutalities, he contributed significantly toward the eventual abandonment of harsh treatment by the North Vietnamese, which was attracting international attention. By his determination, courage, resourcefulness, and devotion, Lieutenant Commander Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1966 – March 1973
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Allan Russell Carpenter (NSN: 0-657951/2107004), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 1966 to March 1973. Under the most adverse of conditions, he resisted all attempts by the North Vietnamese to use him in causes detrimental to the United States and his fellow prisoners. Despite the adversities of confinement, he performed such duties and responsibilities as assigned by superiors and required of the Code of Conduct in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and dedication throughout this period of imprisonment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. (Lieutenant Commander Carpenter is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1968 – February 1969
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Lieutenant Commander Allan Russell Carpenter (NSN: 0-657951/2107004), United States Navy, for meritorious service from May 1968 to February 19069 as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam. Lieutenant Commander Carpenter was a member of a composite team of officers whose steadfast efforts resulted in the saving of the life of a fellow Prisoner of War who was tortured beyond the limits of mental and physical endurance. Despite his own illness and the constant harassment of armed guards, Lieutenant Commander Carpenter never wavered in his dedication to the group’s primary goal of saving their fellow officer’s life through ingenious methods of forced feeding and manual physical exercise, attending to his every need including medical care, personal hygiene, mental therapy and twenty-four hour emergency watch. Lieutenant Commander Carpenter’s demonstrated qualities of loyalty, sacrifice and heroism reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1, 1966 – March 4, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal to Lieutenant Commander Allan Russell Carpenter (NSN: 0-657951/2107004), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam in from 1 November 1966 to 4 March 1973. Under constant pressure from North Vietnamese interrogators and guards, he experienced harassment, intimidation and ruthless treatment in their attempt to gain military information and cooperative participation for propaganda purposes. He heroically resisted their routine cruelties and never wavered in his devotion and loyalty to the United States. These actions served to inspire and improve the morale of his fellow prisoners in the camp. Displaying extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and devotion to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Naval Service and the United States Armed Forces. [The Combat Distinguishing Device is authorized.]
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Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant CommanderDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
November 1, 1966 – March 4, 1973
Lieutenant Commander Allan Russell Carpenter (NSN: 0-657951/2107004), United States Navy, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 1, 1966 until his release on March 4, 1973.