Carwood Lipton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carwood Lipton
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First Lieutenant Lipton in dress uniform
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| Nickname(s) | "Lip" |
| Born | 30 January 1920 Huntington, West Virginia, US |
| Died | 16 December 2001 (aged 81) Southern Pines, North Carolina, US |
| Buried |
Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington, West Virginia
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1942–1953 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Unit |
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| Battles/wars | World War II
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| Awards | Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (3) |
| Other work | Glass-manufacturing executive |
First Lieutenant Clifford Carwood Lipton (January 30, 1920 – December 16, 2001) was a brave officer in Easy Company, part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and 101st Airborne Division, during World War II.
While fighting in Europe, he was promoted to first sergeant. He was later given a special promotion on the battlefield to second lieutenant. He often said this was "the greatest honor ever awarded" to him. Before leaving the army, he became a first lieutenant.
Carwood Lipton was featured in the 2010 book A Company of Heroes. He was also played by Donnie Wahlberg in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.
Contents
Early Life and Joining the Army
Carwood Lipton was born and grew up in Huntington, West Virginia. When he was 10 years old, his father died and his mother was badly hurt in a car accident. Because he was the oldest child, his mother asked him to be the "man of the family."
After studying for one year at Marshall University, he left school. He needed to work to help his family. He found a job making things for the war effort.
Lipton read an article in Life magazine about how tough paratrooper training was. It said that airborne soldiers were among the best-trained in the Army. He decided to join the paratroops on August 15, 1942, at Fort Thomas, Kentucky.
Military Career in World War II
Lipton quickly moved up in the ranks within Easy Company. He became the company's first sergeant. He was known for keeping the soldiers' spirits high. He also encouraged them to do their best. The officers in Easy Company noticed his strong leadership.
Fighting in Normandy
Lipton was the jumpmaster on a C-47 Skytrain plane during the American airborne landings in Normandy. This happened in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day. He parachuted into the Cotentin Peninsula in France. He met up with First Lieutenant Richard Winters and other soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division and 82nd Airborne Division.
They later found more Easy Company members. They moved south toward their target, Carentan. During the Battle of Normandy, Lipton was slightly injured by German shrapnel.
Later that day, Easy Company had a very important mission. They had to silence German artillery guns at Brécourt Manor. These guns were firing onto a road near Utah Beach. This stopped American soldiers from moving inland. In the attack on Brécourt Manor, Lipton and Sergeant Mike Ranney climbed a tree. Lipton used his M1 carbine to shoot a German soldier defending the guns. His brave actions during this attack earned him his first Bronze Star Medal.
Less than a week later, Lipton fought in the Battle of Carentan. This coastal town was important for the Allies to capture. It would connect the Allied forces at Utah Beach with others further east. During this battle, Lipton was wounded in the face and groin. This was from shrapnel from a German artillery shell. His injuries were minor. They earned him his first Purple Heart.
Operation Market Garden
Easy Company started to have fewer soldiers. New soldiers joined to fill the empty spots. Many of these new soldiers liked Lipton right away. He made them feel welcome as fellow soldiers.
Lipton was with Easy Company when they helped free Eindhoven. This city is in the southern Netherlands. He was part of a small team that went ahead of the main company. In October 1944, he helped rescue many British soldiers. These soldiers were from the British 1st Parachute Division. They had avoided capture after the battle of Arnhem.
Battle of the Bulge and Beyond
After Easy Company's attack on the town of Foy, Lipton received exciting news. He would be given a special promotion on the battlefield to second lieutenant. He officially received this promotion in Haguenau.
Lipton helped Easy Company capture Hitler's mountain retreat, the Eagles' Nest, in Berchtesgaden. There, he met Ferdinand Porsche. Porsche was famous for designing tanks and the Volkswagen Beetle. They would eat meals together. Lipton stayed with Easy Company until the unit was disbanded after Japan surrendered. He remained in the United States Army Reserve through the Korean War. However, he was never sent overseas to fight again.
Later Years and Retirement
After returning to the United States, Lipton went back to Marshall University. He finished his degree in engineering. With his new degree, Lipton got a job at Owens Illinois Inc. (O-I). This company made glass products and plastic packaging. He quickly moved up in the company. By 1952, he was a chief operator.
In 1966, Lipton moved to Bridgeton, New Jersey. He became an administrative manager there. In 1967, O-I bought part of a glass company in Madrid, Spain. Lipton became the general manager of that company. In 1971, he and his wife moved to London. He worked as the Director of Manufacturing for eight glass companies in England and Scotland for several years. In 1982, he moved to Toledo, Ohio. He retired a year later from his job as Director of International Development. Lipton spent his retirement years in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
Lipton appeared on two television shows. He provided comments for the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers. He also appeared in a documentary called We Stand Alone Together: The Men of Easy Company.
Carwood Lipton passed away on December 16, 2001, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. He was 81 years old. He was survived by his wife Marie, three sons from his first marriage, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Medals and Decorations
Lipton received many military honors and medals:
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After World War II, he also received a Foreign Award:
- Belgian World War II Service Medal
