Evans Carlson
| Evans Fordyce Carlson | |
|---|---|
BGen Evans Carlson
|
|
| Born |
February 26, 1896 Sidney, New York |
| Died | May 27, 1947 (aged 51) Portland, Oregon |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps
|
| Years of service | 1912–1921 (USA) 1922–1939, 1941–1946 (USMC) |
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Commands held | 2nd Raider Battalion |
| Battles/wars |
Pancho Villa Expedition World War I United States occupation of Nicaragua Second Sino-Japanese War (observer) World War II *Makin Island Raid *Guadalcanal campaign **Carlson's patrol *Battle of Tarawa *Battle of Saipan |
| Awards |
Navy Cross (3) Legion of Merit Purple Heart Medal (2) Combat Action Ribbon Croce al Merito di Guerra (Italy) |
Evans Fordyce Carlson (26 February 1896 – 27 May 1947) was a decorated and retired United States Marine Corps general officer who was the legendary leader of "Carlson's Raiders", during World War II crediting him as the forefather of one of America's first U.S. special operations forces. He is renowned for the "Makin Island raid" in 1942, and their "Long Patrol" (aka Carlson's patrol) behind Japanese lines on Guadalcanal, in which 488 Japanese were killed.
Carlson is also credited with introducing the term "Gung-ho" into the Marine Corps.
Evans Carlson was born on 26 February 1896 in Sidney, New York, the son of a Congregationalist minister. He ran away from his home in Vermont in 1910 and two years later disguised his age to enter the United States Army.
During his first enlistment in the Army, he served in the Philippines and Hawaii. He was discharged in 1916 as a "top" or first sergeant. Less than a year later, he returned to the Army and participated in the Mexican punitive expedition.
During World War I, he saw action in France, and was awarded a Wound Chevron (later exchanged for the Purple Heart Medal) for wounds received in action. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 1917, and made captain of field artillery in December 1917. He served in Germany with the Army of Occupation. He was discharged from the Army in 1921.
Carlson's career as a Marine started in 1922 when he enlisted as a private. In 1923, he was again commissioned a second lieutenant. After duty at MCB Quantico, Virginia, he sailed for Culebra, Puerto Rico in 1924 and remained there five months before being ordered to the West Coast for duty with the Pacific Fleet. Applying for aviation training in 1925, he went to Naval Aeronautical Station Pensacola, Florida, for instruction, but was subsequently returned to duty with ground units. He served another tour of foreign shore duty from 1927 to 1929 at Shanghai, China.
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