Major Clayton O. Carpenter died 15 January 2014 when his MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crashed at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, following a night training mission.

MAJ Carpenter was born 12 August 1983 in Brooklyn, New York. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in May 2005 from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After graduating, he was assigned to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for Initial Entry Rotary Wing Training. After completion of the Aviation Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, and deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 2006-2008. He further served as a Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander and deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from 2009-2011. He arrived at the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in September 2012 for Officer Green Platoon. Following Green Platoon, MAJ Carpenter was assigned as an MH-60M Platoon Leader in Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 160th SOAR(Abn) at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

MAJ Carpenter was a graduate of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course, Aviation Officer Basic Course, UH-60 Flight School XXI, Aviation Captains Career Course, Air Assault School, Aviation Tactical Operations Officer Course, Aviation Safety Officer Course, UH-60M Aircraft Qualification Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Course (Level C), Combatives Level 1 Course, and Officer Green Platoon.

MAJ Carpenter’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (w/1 OLC), Air Medal (w/Numeral 2), Army Commendation Medal (w/"V" Device), Meritorious Unit Commendation (w/1 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (w/3 Bronze Service Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Numeral 3), NATO Medal, Army Aviator Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He was posthumously awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Senior Army Aviator Badge.

MAJ Carpenter is survived by his father, Paul; mother, Colette; and brother, Chris. He is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, Site 10227.