Carwood Lipton Biography

(United States Army Officer)

Birthday: January 30, 1920 (Aquarius)

Born In: Huntington, West Virginia

Carwood Lipton was a United States Army officer, who earned nationwide fame and recognition by serving his country, diligently and earnestly during World War II. Joining the US Army as a low-profile private, he rose through the ranks to become a Second Lieutenant in the army’s 101st Airborne Division and retired from the unit as First Lieutenant. He served in the 2nd Battalion of Easy Company for a total of three years, staying in the unit until it was demobilized when WWII came to an end after Germany and Japan surrendered. He came to the United States and resumed his engineering course at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia to complete the remaining three years at the end of which he became a graduate. His engineering degree helped him land a job at Owens Illinois Inc that dealt in plastics packaging and glass products. His progression in the firm was rapid and within a few years, he became the company’s Chief Operator. He retired as ‘Director of International Development’, spending his post-retirement years in North Carolina. He died at 81 years of age from pulmonary fibrosis and left behind his wife, three sons, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
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Quick Facts

Also Known As: First Lieutenant Clifford Carwood Lipton

Died At Age: 81

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Marie

siblings: Robert Dulaine

children: Michael, Thomas and Clifford Carwood

Military Leaders American Men

Died on: December 16, 2001

U.S. State: West Virginia

More Facts

education: Marshall University

  • 1

    What was Carwood Lipton's role in World War II?

    Carwood Lipton was a First Lieutenant in the Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during World War II.
  • 2

    What are some notable achievements of Carwood Lipton during his military service?

    Carwood Lipton was known for his leadership skills and bravery, especially during the Battle of the Bulge and the assault on Foy.
  • 3

    Did Carwood Lipton receive any honors or medals for his service in World War II?

    Yes, Carwood Lipton was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions during the war.
  • 4

    What was Carwood Lipton's role within Easy Company?

    Carwood Lipton served as a platoon sergeant and later as a first sergeant within Easy Company during World War II.
  • 5

    How did Carwood Lipton contribute to the success of Easy Company during the war?

    Carwood Lipton's leadership, courage, and dedication to his men played a crucial role in the success of Easy Company in various battles and campaigns.
Childhood & Early Years
Carwood Lipton was born on 30 January 1920 in Huntington, West Virginia. He suffered a huge personal loss at the age of 10 when his father was fatally wounded in a car crash while his mother who was co-passenger became paralyzed. As the eldest sibling, the responsibility of providing for the family fell on him.
He had to cut short his education at Marshall University in Huntington owing to paucity of funds, and following the completion of a year’s study, he took up a job in an arms production plant.
He came across a report that dwelt on the arduousness of and challenges involved in paratrooper training in ‘Life’, a weekly which inspired him to sign up as a paratrooper. He was finally selected to train in the paratroop force under 101st Airborne Division of the US Army at Fort Thomas (Newport), Kentucky in 1942.
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Serving the US Army
Carwood Lipton’s unremitting enthusiasm and dogged perseverance parachuted him to the rank of First Sergeant in Easy Company when James “Punchy” Diel, the serving First Sergeant was promoted as ‘commissioned officer’ position.
When James “Punchy” Diel died on duty near Eindhoven (in Netherlands) on 19th September 1944, Lipton, as a sergeant, went out of the way to cheer up the paratroopers, and always saw to it that their morale was constantly high.
Senior officers of Easy Company under the 101st Airborne Division appreciated Carwood Lipton’s efforts. Nicknamed “The Man”, he served as the jumpmaster for paratroopers that dived from C-47 Skytrain DC Douglas military aircrafts, for landing in Normandy.
Carwood landed in Normandy with Richard “Dick” Winters, the hitherto First Lieutenant as well as numerous others from the 101st Airborne Division, under the command of General Maxwell Taylor.
He was seriously injured by shrapnel fired from a self-propelled 105 Howitzer gun during the Normandy raid but a medic dressed his wound and treated him which enabled him to continue fighting.
Carwood Lipton was part of the team that carried out the assault on Manor Brecourt when Easy Company was assigned the responsibility of demolishing four 105mm Howitzers that were raining down on Utah Beach. In order to have some leverage in killing the Germans manning the Howitzer guns, Lipton clambered up a tree. The task of destroying all the four howitzers became easier with the slaying of the Germans and Carwood’s timely action earned him a ‘Bronze Star’.
Lipton was part of the Carentan raid by Easy Company supervised by Lt. Colonel, Robert George Cole who got injured from a shot fired by a sniper. Lipton himself received injuries in the groin and face for which he was honored with a ‘Purple Heart’ while Lt. Col George Cole received a ‘Medal of Honor’ for his effective leadership.
Carwood Lipton was actively involved in an operation that was undertaken by Easy Company to liberate Eindhoven where the team first scanned the route and bridge for ensuring a safe passage for the rest. A squad member was critically injured by a hand grenade of German make when the troop was engaged in a battle at a crossroad in the Dutch city.
Easy Company members were entrusted with the responsibility of obliterating and nullifying all German opposition at the intersection. Lipton who joined the primary assault team comprising 10 soldiers, at a later stage, played a key role in annihilating two SS platoons stationed at the crossways by launching a sudden attack. The surprise assault codenamed, ‘Operation Pegasus’ was relatively a low-profile operation requiring Easy Company to cross Lower Rhine on boats to rescue 140 fenced-in British paratroopers (following their retreat from Arnhem).
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First Lieutenant Frederick Theodore ‘Moose’ Heyliger received unflinching support from Carwood Lipton in effectively ensuring the successful conduct of ‘Operation Pegasus’.
Lipton took upon himself to lead the paratroopers when a raid was planned on Bastogne, near Ardennes Forest and it was his equanimity and mental strength that cheered up the men.
Following the successful completion of the raid on Foy, Lipton was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant in recognition of his outstanding leadership in the battlefield.
Carwood Lipton also took part in the siege of Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s winter retreat, along with other members of Easy Company. He stayed with Easy Company right until the end of WWII in 1945 following which the 101st Airborne Division was broken up.
He was on standby as a soldier throughout the Korean War but was never sent abroad.
Life Following Retirement from Army
After returning to the US following the end of WWII, he took readmission at Marshall University to complete his graduation. He received a degree in engineering made him eligible for an entry- level position in a plastic package and glass manufacturing company named Owens Illinois Inc.
His devotion and sincerity helped him to rapidly rise through the organization and he retired as Director of International Development, in 1983.
Carwood Lipton spent his twilight years in the tranquility of Southern Pines Town in North Carolina. He breathed his last on 16 December 2001, succumbing to pulmonary fibrosis.
He was survived by his wife, Marie; three sons; Michael, Thomas and Clifford Carwood III; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Facts About Carwood Lipton
Carwood Lipton was known for his exceptional marksmanship skills and was considered one of the best shots in Easy Company.
Lipton was known for his calm and composed demeanor under pressure, earning him the respect of his fellow soldiers.
Despite being a tough and disciplined soldier, Lipton had a soft spot for animals and was known to care for stray dogs and cats during his time in the military.
Lipton was a talented storyteller and often regaled his comrades with entertaining anecdotes and tales from his experiences in Easy Company.
In addition to his military service, Lipton was also a skilled carpenter and would often help his fellow soldiers with building and repairing structures during their missions.

See the events in life of Carwood Lipton in Chronological Order

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- Carwood Lipton Biography
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