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   Allan Russell Carpenter
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War: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
Branch: Navy
Unit: VA-72, USS Independence (CVA/CV 62) and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB/CVA/CV 42)
Service Location: Vietnam
Rank: Commander
POW: Yes
Place of Birth: ME
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Allan Carpenter served in Vietnam as a pilot assigned to reconnaissance, bridge bombing and the always-dangerous "iron hand" missions. On an iron hand mission the goal was to suppress or distract surface-to-air missiles, usually in support of large strikes or other flights. On his last iron hand mission, in November 1966, he was forced to eject close to enemy lines after taking critical damage to his A-4 Skyhawk. Badly injured in the process of escaping his plane, Carpenter began a six-year nightmare in Walo Prison in North Vietnam. He was finally released in February 1973 and reunited with his wife and four children.

Interview (Audio)
»Complete Interview  (67 min.)
»Transcript
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Home » Allan Russell Carpenter
  The Library of Congress  >> American Folklife Center
  October 26, 2011
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