Kenneth Marion Carpenter
Marine Corps Reserve | Service Number 537054
July 9, 1926
in Arp, Texas
Marion Carpenter
Olive Lillie (Parker) Carpenter (d. 1936)
Abilene High School
Delivery boy
Western Union
October 20, 1943
at El Paso, Texas
Joined January 7, 1944 from MCB San Diego
Transferred June 13, 1945 to Headquarters, FMF Pacific
December 21, 1945
Discharged
818 South 7th Street – Mr. Marion Carpenter
Campaigns
Enlisted at El Paso, Texas on October 20, 1943.
Boot camp at MCRD San Diego.
Transferred to Company B, First Battalion, 24th Marines on January 7, 1944
Outfit: Company B
Rank: Private
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)
Outfit: Company B
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 675 (Messenger)
Important Events:
Wounded June 17, 1944 (shell fragment, thigh)
Evacuated to US Naval Hospital Aiea Heights via unknown transport
Outfit: Company B
Rank: Private First Class
MOS: 745 (Rifleman)
Important Events:
Member of rear echelon stationed at Camp Maui. Did not participate in combat.
Transferred June 13, 1945 to Headquarters, FMF Pacific, for guard duty.
Rejoined battalion October 2, 1945 for final transit to United States.
Honorably discharged December 21, 1945.
Individual Decorations
Service Stories
Please share a story if you knew this Marine.
Post-War Life
Married Clarah Jewell (Nichols) Carpenter on July 20, 1946; three sons, Kenneth Jr., David, and Lynn.
I am currently editing the memoirs of PFC Kenneth Marion Carpenter for publication in Chronicles of Smith County, Texas. He had two versions that we are merging, and they cover from leaving Abilene, Texas, to training in California and Hawaii, to the battle at Roi-Namur, then back to Hawaii and his introduction to Gunny (Henry) Linker, back to the South Pacific at Saipan. He served under Lt. William A. Eddy Jr and Capt. Milton G. Cokin. He includes Kilroy and a tank named King Kong. Carpenter was wounded on Saipan and spent the rest of the war recovering back at Hawaii. He’s buried here in Tyler, Texas. This journal issue should come out sometime around Christmas. I’d love to hear of any other members of Baker Company and especially any photos from the company on Roi-Namur or Saipan.
Hi Vicki – sent you an email regarding PFC Carpenter.
Geoffrey