World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award posthumously on February 4, 1946, for his actions as a B-24 Liberator aircraft pilot with the 308th Bombardment Group, U.S. Army Air Corps on October 26, 1944, near the South China Sea. After high school, he graduated from Texas Christian University in 1939 with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education. After the onset of World War II in September 1939, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and was appointed a Flying Cadet on March 26, 1940. He received his wings later that year at Kelly Field, Texas, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and became a flight instructor. Following several stateside assignments and promotion to the rank of Major, he was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations in April 1944 and was assigned as the Commander of a detachment of B-24J aircraft at Liuchow, China. On October 26, 1944, he was flying a single low-level bombing mission over the South China Sea and attacked a Japanese convoy. In the process, his aircraft was severely crippled and, in the ensuing crash, he was killed at the age of 28. Originally interred at a Catholic mission in Tungchen, China, his remains were later moved to Oakwood Cemetery in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to the Medal of Honor, he received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, and the Air Medal, among others. Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, (now closed) was named in his honor. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "He piloted a B-24 bomber in a one-plane strike against a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea on the night of 26 October 1944. Taking the enemy force of 12 ship escorted by at least 2 destroyer by surprise, he made one bombing run at 600 feet, scoring a near miss on one warship and escaping without drawing fire. He circled and, fully realizing that the convoy was thoroughly alerted and would meet his next attack with a barrage of antiaircraft fire, began a second low-level run which culminated in 2 direct hits on a large tanker. A hail of steel from Japanese guns, riddled the bomber, knocking out 2 engines, damaging a third, crippling the hydraulic system, puncturing 1 gasoline tank, ripping uncounted holes in the aircraft, and wounding the copilot; but by magnificent display of flying skill, Major Carswell controlled the plane's plunge toward the sea and carefully forced it into a halting climb in the direction of the China shore. On reaching land, where it would have been possible to abandon the staggering bomber, one of the crew discovered that his parachute had been ripped by flak and rendered useless; the pilot, hoping to cross mountainous terrain and reach a base, continued onward until the third engine failed. He ordered the crew to bail out while he struggled to maintain altitude and, refusing to save himself, chose to remain with his comrade and attempt a crash landing. He died when the airplane struck a mountainside and burned. With consummate gallantry and intrepidity, Major Carswell gave his life in a supreme effort to save all members of his crew. His sacrifice, far beyond that required of him, was in keeping with the traditional bravery of America's war heroes."