FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Sgt. First Class Ethan Carpenter, a reconnaissance specialist assigned to the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, died during routine military free-fall training at a facility in Arizona, March 15, 2019.
A native of Trumansburg, New York, Carpenter entered the Army, August 31, 2007. He completed One Station Unit Training, Basic Airborne Course, and the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was then assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield as an assistant machine gunner; he then progressed to team leader and squad leader.
Carpenter deployed to combat eight times, once to Iraq and seven to Afghanistan before he was assigned as a reconnaissance specialist with the Regimental Special Troops Battalion, June 5, 2017.
“Sgt. First Class Ethan Carpenter was an exemplary Soldier and Ranger Leader, and a dedicated husband and father. He did the toughest jobs well and was the consummate team member when it counted the most, both in garrison training and in deployed combat. He represented our Nation’s best, and we’ll miss him dearly,” said Colonel Joseph Ewers, commander, Regimental Special Troops Battalion.
Carpenter’s awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal with OLC, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Ranger Tab, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Senior Parachutists Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge.
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