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Classification: Query
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Message Board Post:
Steve,
According to my research and according to his military record Fr. Carpentier was never
officially assigned to the 165th Regiment (69th New York) except for the time he filled in
for Fr. Duffy as Senior Chaplain while Duffy was in the hospital recuperating from
exhaustion. But, as you may know, Chaplain assignments were always kind of fluid and they
often went where they were needed regardless of their regimental assignment. Fr.
Carpentier was an extraordinary individual. The 166th regimental history describes him as
"absolutely fearless." He was reportedly good friends with Col. Wm. Donovan,
whose brother Vincent was also a Dominican priest.
Fr. Carpentier was originally assigned to the 117th Sanitary Train, 83rd Brigade, 42nd
Division. During his service there he was awarded a Silver Star for galantry at
Chateau-Thierry. He then filled in for Fr. Duffy in the 165th Regiment and in September
1918 Duffy assigned him to the 166th (Ohio) Regiment. He joined them near St. Mhiel. At
least that is the way his official record indicates. While with the 166th he was award
the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart for an action near Sedan on November
7, 1918. There is also some indications that he was awarded the Croix de Guerre, however,
I have not been able to confirm that yet. Upon his return to Columbus he joined the 4th
Ohio National Guard and was made a Captain. He served with the guard until the Dominicans
transfered him from Columbus, Ohio to Johnson City, Tennessee.
I am writing a biographical article on Fr. Carpentier which will be published sometime
this year in the Catholic Record Soceity bulletin. I am almost finished. I am currently
waiting for a inter-library loan on a history of the 117th Sanitary Train which may
contain more information regarding his military service. I am also waiting for some
information from the Benedicting Sisters in Oklahoma who may have some info regarding his
time in Oklahoma. I would be happy to share the article once I get it completed.
I was hoping to locate a family member as my material on his birth to his joining the
Dominicans is rather weak.
There is a biography on the Dominican website. While it is lacking some of the details it
does give an outline of his assignments. If you send me your email address, I can provide
you with a link to that site. My address is FCoolavin(a)aol.com.
Please let me know if you have any questions on the above or if your information differs.
Many thanks.
J. Michael Finn
Columbus, Ohio