Donald F. Carpenter (1899–1985) was an American businessman who served as the first civilian Chairman of the Military Liaison Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission, Deputy to United States Secretary of Defense James V. Forrestal on atomic energy matters, and Chairman of the U.S.
In 1948 he was appointed by U.S. President Harry S. Truman as the first civilian chairman of the Military Liaison Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission,[2] where he strengthened the committee status as a civilian-military enterprise inclusive of Army, Navy and Air Force nuclear activities.
[1][3] Later in 1948 Carpenter was appointed by Secretary of Defense James V. Forrestal as his deputy "in atomic energy matters".
[6] His work as chairman was recognized with letters of appreciation from James Forrestal, Harry S. Truman and Dwight D.
[1] The Donald F. Carpenter Collection at the Hagley Museum and Library documents his life and career through photographs, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, pamphlets and letters.