Phillip L. Carpenter

Phillip L. “Phil” Carpenter was born June 15, 1939, in Stoughton, Wisconsin, the son of Lawrence and Helen (Julian) Carpenter. He attended Stoughton schools and graduated from Stoughton High School in 1958.

Phil joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard in 1957 and served until 1964. He was a member of Stoughton’s Company E, 2nd Battle Group, 128th Infantry, part of Wisconsin’s 32nd “Red Arrow” Division. During the Berlin Crisis, the division was called to active federal service and trained at Fort Lewis, Washington. Phil attained the rank of Specialist Four.

A surviving photograph from Phil’s military years shows him alongside fellow Stoughton serviceman Truman Harried, both dressed in cook’s whites. The photograph provides a wonderful connection between two local servicemen who would later remain part of Stoughton’s veterans community.

Following high school, Phil worked for Fosdal Bakery in Stoughton, beginning a career that would last 32 years. His occupation as a baker makes the photograph of him in cook’s whites during his military service an especially fitting glimpse into his younger years.

Phil married Virginia Elizabeth Klawes of Stoughton on January 14, 1967. At the time their engagement was announced, Virginia was employed at the Stoton restaurant while Phil was working as a baker at Fosdal Bakery. They raised two children, Steven and Lynette.

Phil became a longtime member of American Legion Post 59 and provided an unusually long period of leadership to the Post. He served as Post Commander from 1983 through 1990, eight consecutive years according to Post 59’s Commander records. His obituary later described him as having served as Commander for ten years, suggesting that he may have held the position during two additional years that have not yet been identified in the surviving records.

Beyond the Legion, Phil was a member of the Little Norway C.B. Club and served as its president from 1976 to 1977.

Phil died May 4, 2004, at a Madison hospital following a long illness. He was 64 years old. His funeral reflected the importance of his years in the veterans community. Members of Post 59 held a pass and review during his visitation, and military rites were conducted by the Stoughton American Legion Post 59 Honor Guard. He was buried at Lutheran Cemetery South.

Phillip Carpenter’s long association with Post 59 stretched from his years as a young Wisconsin National Guardsman through decades of service to the American Legion. His eight documented consecutive years as Commander stand as a significant chapter in the history of Post 59.