Carl Lasiter was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1934. He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program on August 4, 1956, and went on active duty beginning July 6, 1957. Lt Lasiter next completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings at Webb AFB, Texas, in July 1958, followed by F-86 Sabre Combat Crew Training at Williams AFB, Arizona, from September 1958 to April 1959. After attending Basic Instructor School at Craig AFB, Alabama, he served as an instructor pilot with the 3575th Pilot Training Squadron and as a member of the Group Standardization Board with the 3575th Pilot Training Group at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, from June 1959 to October 1963. Capt Lasiter attended F-100 Super Sabre Combat Crew Training at Luke AFB, Arizona, and then served as an F-100 pilot with the 492nd Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, England, from July 1964 to June 1965. His next assignment was as a Fighter Officer with the Tactical Evaluation Branch, Headquarters 3rd Air Force, at Ruislip AS, England, from July 1965 to October 1967, followed by service as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from October 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 5, 1968. After spending 1,865 days in captivity, Maj Lasiter was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, from March to August 1973, and then served as an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Studies with the Air Force ROTC detachment at San Diego State University in San Diego, California, from August 1973 to August 1974. Lt Col Lasiter then received an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to complete his Master's degree at San Diego State from August 1974 to August 1976, followed by service as Professor of Aerospace Studies back at the Air Force ROTC detachment at San Diego State from August 1976 until his retirement from the Air Force on August 1, 1979.

His 1st (of 2) Silver Star Citation reads:

Captain Carl W. Lasiter distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force over North Vietnam on 5 November 1967. On that date, Captain Lasiter braved extremely heavy antiaircraft fire to silence an entrenched gun battery. In so doing, he aided in the successful completion of an important combat operation. After completing his assigned mission, Captain Lasiter returned to hostile territory and, in spite of an attack by unfriendly aircraft, assisted in the rescue of a downed pilot. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Lasiter has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.