SMSgt C.E. Carpenter served in the United States Air Force for twenty-seven years, January 1942 until April, 1969, where he enlisted as a private and rose to the rank of Senior Master Sargent. During his tenure he served faithfully and honorably in three wars (WW II, Korea, Vietnam). SMSGT Carpenter's training was in electronics and aviation mechanics. He was considered an expert on numerous aircraft during his career to include the B-29 Superfortress, C-54, C-131 and SA-16 Albatross. In addition, SMSGT Carpenter was also known for his heroics in April, 1951, when with total disregard for his own personal safety helped to extinguished a major hanger fire caused when a jet plane burst into flames on Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts. SMSGT Carpenter's quick thinking and bravery saved many lives.