Upon arriving in France in 1944, Carpenter was assigned an L-4 Grasshopper for artillery spotter role and reconnaissance missions. Assuming a pilot and no radio aboard, the L-4H had a remaining cargo or passenger weight capacity of approximately . The additional weight of radio and radio operator often exceeded this limit. Inspired by other L-4 pilots who had installed bazookas as anti-tank armament on their planes, Carpenter added bazooka launchers to his plane as well. Within a few weeks, on September 20, 1944, during the
Battle of Arracourt, Carpenter was credited with knocking out a German armored car and four tanks. After destroying his fifth enemy tank, Carpenter told a
Stars and Stripes correspondent that the "word must be getting around to watch out for Cubs with bazookas on them. Every time I show up now they shoot with everything they have. They never used to bother Cubs. Bazookas must be bothering them a bit." By war's end, Major Carpenter had destroyed or disabled several German armored cars and tanks (he was officially credited with six tanks destroyed). Carpenter's awards included: •
Silver Star •
Bronze Star Medal •
Air Medal, with Oak Leaf Cluster •
European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, with 4 campaign stars •
American Campaign Medal •
World War II Victory Medal ==Postwar service==