Clayton Carpenter - U.S. Military

Captain Clayton O. Carpenter, age 31, of New York State, died in the line of duty on January 16, 2014, at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia. 

He was a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Unit has a battalion in Savannah. 

This regiment is largely composed of a group of highly-trained helicopter pilots who fly Army Green Berets and Navy SEALS on dangerous missions deep behind enemy lines under the cover of darkness.

Clayton died during a training flight.  He was aboard a Black Hawk helicopter that slammed into the ground while landing.  The cause of the crash is under investigation. 

Two other crew members were injured but are expected to recover. 

Clayton had attended Lakeland High School, in Shrub Oak, New York.  High School officials state that Clayton could have done anything he set his mind to do. 

He graduated from the West Point Military Academy in 2005.  

He became a platoon leader of the Night Stalkers Regiment last year, the highly specialized unit that helped capture Osama bin Laden. While stationed in Hawaii, he flew Blackhawk helicopters.

Clayton had previously served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

He is described as professional, focused and extremely capable.  

Jesus, pray for Clayton

His family is deeply mourning his death. Oceans of tears will be shed for this man. 

He will be forever missed by his military comrades and by all who knew him. 

Clayton is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother and father, Colette and Paul Carpenter; and his brother. 

Thank you for serving, Clayton. 

Pray for all who die by misadventure.  They are with us one moment and gone the next.

Pray that Clayton is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.