Army 1LT Donald Clayton Carwile, 29, of Oxford, VA, was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY. He died August 15th, 2008, in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device and then received small-arms and rocket-propelled-grenade-fire.

1LT Carwile joined the Army shortly after graduating from high school and spent most of his first stint in Hawaii. Just after the events of 9/11, he chose to follow in his father, grandfather, and uncle’s footsteps in law enforcement. He worked as a patrol officer with the Batesville and Oxford Police Departments. In 2006, he chose to re-enlist in the Army and pursue Officer Training. 1LT Carwile earned at least 14 awards, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

His wife Jennifer described him as a dedicated leader who made it his goal every day to keep the guys in his platoon safe. In 2017, local firefighters, police officers, veterans and government officials joined his family at a dedication ceremony to officially rename a post office in Oxford in his honor.

1LT Carwile was survived by his wife, Jennifer, and two daughters- Reese and Avery.