Near January 18th, 1945, tents for the supply personnel had been set up for Company B and Company C near the back Command Post. On the 18th, Carnes, along with other men from Company B, had been loading up supplies that their company needed when an enemy caliber shell landed close to their position. Staff Sergeant Carnes and four other men were wounded, and three men had been killed instantly. Carnes would pass away later that day from penetrative wounds in his head. It was not until after the accident that the Command Post was moved out of the artillery range.
Commemoration
He was found with a wallet, photos, a notebook, pen, pencil, a key, a watch, a single American dollar, A New Testament, a camera with rolls of film, and other items like clothes. These were all shipped back to his mother Ruth Carnes along with the American Flag that was draped over his casket. He was temporarily buried on January 21st, 1945, in the Mount Beni US Military Cemetery in Pietramalam, Italy before his body was moved on September 1st, 1948, to his current resting place in the Florence American Cemetery in Florence, Italy. His grave marker is a white cross in plot F, Row 1, Grave 18.
A Mother's Worry
His mother had trouble with the mail getting his items and forms about how he was to be buried to her. There were delays and she contacted Major Richard B. Coombs. He quickly got back with her and reassured her that everything would be taken care of. She also contacted the American Battle Monuments Commission to get photographs of her son’s grave.
Awards
Staff Sergeant Thomas Robert Carnes was awarded with a Purple Heart after his death.