Carl E. Lamberson, Jr. was born on August 9, 1946, in Trenton, NJ. His home of record is Brick, NJ. He was the first son of Ethel and Carl E. Lamberson, Sr.. The family moved to Cranbury Station/Keyport, NJ, where two children, Ellen and David were born. They lived close to other family members. Both parents came from families of thirteen children, so it is not surprising that their family would also be big. They moved to Keansburg, NJ, where another son, Tommy was born. Unfortunately, Carl’s parents separated. The family moved to Miami, FL. Shortly after, they returned to Bricktown, NJ. Carl was twelve when the family moved back to NJ. Carl’s father had met someone else who soon became Mrs. Anne Lamberson. Three more children were born to his father, Kathleen, Maralee and Brian.
Carl was extremely athletic and always liked to play sports but was never on a team until the day that Bricktown High School was opened. The football coach was watching Carl and asked if he wanted to practice with the team that summer. He was going into his freshman year at this point. Everything would change for Carl. Carl became the quarterback for Brick High School and a star football player. While in high school, he was extremely active in other sports and clubs including: basketball, baseball, track, school newspaper (The Flame), and Key Club, a community service oriented club. Carl was also the Varsity Club President and captain of the track team. He was known statewide for his performance on the field and off. He was well known for his sincerity and outgoing personality. Many girls chased after him not only because he was nice, but because he was extremely handsome. He had many friends due to his great personality. He graduated in the Class of 1964.
Shortly after graduating, Carl went on to Upsala College in East Orange, NJ. Deciding college was not for him, he returned home. Knowing he would eventually be drafted, Carl chose to enlist in the US Army. He went on to Fort Dix, NJ, for basic training. He excelled in the Army and went to Infantry Officer Candidate School in Georgia, graduating on November 8, 1967. He was then appointed Second Lieutenant and from there was stationed at Fort Monmouth, NJ, where he sat at a desk and was in charge of the Signal and Election School. On December 16, 1967, Carl married Inez Bonardi of Point Pleasant, NJ, who had been his girlfriend since his junior year in high school.
Carl was the oldest of the children and took on that role very well. He watched out for and protected his family. He was very much like his father, always giving rather than taking and had big family values. When his first nephew was born, he was passing out cigars because he was so proud; and when his niece was born he did the same thing. He took his nephew everywhere. Carl’s nickname became “Big Lump” and his nephew became “Little Lump”. Carl loved children and was considered the ambassador of the family because he kept everyone together and he was able to handle any situation that came his way. His dream was to one day finish college and become a Physical Education teacher.
His generosity and sincerity showed in everything he did. He was very caring and did for others without blinking an eye. He would not start a family before leaving for Vietnam because he did not want Inez to be left taking care of children without him. He also requested not to have a military funeral, if he was killed in action, because he did not want to upset his family with the “21 gun salute”.
In October 1968, Carl was assigned to Vietnam. He went to the Jungle School for training in Panama and in November 1968 left for Vietnam as part of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant (1LT).
On July 2, 1969, three weeks before he was due home, Carl drowned in Vietnam. He was the Long-Range Reconnaissance Platoon Leader for the 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. They were given a mission to rescue a helicopter crash down in a river. Carl was the type of leader that would not send his men into something he would not do himself. When they arrived at the crash scene, he was the first to attempt crossing and the current took him under.
He is missed by his family and friends to this day. There are many places in Bricktown that bear Carl’s name. The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 20 is named after him and another veteran. The road that leads to the DAV is named after him and there is a large plaque in Brick High School. Carl’s memory will always remain.
Sources: Elizabeth Melita (Monmouth University, Fall 1999) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
