(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Joe Victor Carpenter (AFSN: FR-60538/AO-2208141), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander, in action over Southeast Asia in 1967. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Joe Victor Carpenter (AFSN: FR-60538/AO-2208141), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Flight Leader in North Vietnam on 17 October 1967. On that date, Captain Carpenter led his flight against a heavily defended truck park and storage area situated on a major North Vietnamese supply route. Despite adverse weather conditions and hostile anti-aircraft fire, Captain Carpenter made repeated attacks on the target, causing three secondary explosions and igniting four large, sustained fires and numerous smaller ones which covered the target area. The loss of this storage area and its supplies significantly reduced the North Vietnamese capability to re-supply insurgent forces in South Vietnam. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Joe Victor Carpenter (AFSN: FR-60538/AO-2208141), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 29 November 1967. On that date, Captain Carpenter was Commander of an armed reconnaissance flight executed along a major transportation route. Encountering intense anti-aircraft fire along most of the route, Captain Carpenter deftly and resolutely led his flight through the defenses to destroy nine cargo vessels, and sever the main highway and its adjacent rail line, thereby significantly hampering the re-supply of hostile forces to the south. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Joe Victor Carpenter (AFSN: FR-60538/AO-2208141), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander near Hue, Republic of Vietnam, on 13 August 1967. On that date, Captain Carpenter’s flight was directed against a hostile force which was mortaring friendly forces and firing on helicopters attempting to evacuate friendly wounded personnel. By his accurate weapons deliver, in spite of hostile ground fire, Captain Carpenter was instrumental in destroying the weapons position, inflicting heavy casualties on the unfriendly forces, and enabling the successful aeromedical evacuation of friendly wounded. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Joe Victor Carpenter (AFSN: FR-60538/AO-2208141), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander in Southeast Asia on 15 October 1967. On that date, Captain Carpenter was a member of a flight of two F-4C’s on an armed reconnaissance mission which discovered two military storage complexes and numerous cargo boats. Around clouds and through intense anti-aircraft fire, Captain Carpenter made repeated passes on the target, destroying six cargo boats and two gun positions and igniting several secondary explosions and fires. This outstanding mission significantly weakened the North Vietnamese defensive posture, destroyed vital petroleum, oil and lubricants, and disrupted hostile supply lines. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Carpenter reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.