John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
  • SURNAME
Carlson
  • FORENAME
Evans Fordyce
  • UNIT
2 Raider Bn (Commanding Officer)
  • RANK
Lieutenant Colonel
  • NUMBER
  • AWARD
Navy Cross with Gold Star, Legion of Merit
  • PLACE
Makin Atoll 1942 (NC) Guadalcanal 1942 (SC and Gold Star)
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 26.2.1896 Sidney, New York
son also served with Raiders - See awards
enlisted U.S.Army 1912
commissioned during WW1
enlisted U.S.M.C. 1922 as Private
2Lt 1923
4th Marines
Navy Cross for Nicaragua 1930
served China and resigned
rejoined U.S.M.C.R. April 1941 as Major
WIA 1944 Saipan
retired 1.7.1946 as Brigadier General
died 27.5.1947 Portland,Oregon
Arlington National Cemetery,Virginia Section 11 Site 653
Evans Carlson military career begin in 1912, when at the age of 16 he left high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in the Philippines and in Hawaii and, less than a year after fulfilling his 4-year Army enlistment, returned to service in time for the Mexican punitive expedition. During World War I he saw action in France, and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in May, 1917, and made Captain of field artillery in December 1917. After the war, in 1922 he enlisted as a Marine Corps Private and the following year was commissioned a second lieutenant. In Nicaragua he earned the first of three Navy Crosses. Serving as a "observer" in China in the years before World War II, he became impressed with the guerrilla warfare being waged against the Japanese, and upon returning home received authorization to recruit and train the first Marine Raiders.
 

CITATION:

Navy Cross : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Evans Fordyce Carlson (MCSN: 0-3613), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism while attached to the Guardia Nacional from 16 May 1930 to 1 May 1931. Upon joining the Guardia Nacional, First Lieutenant Carlson was assigned at Jalapa in the bandit area of Nueva Segovia. On 8 July 1930, he received a report that a group of one hundred bandits were looting the town of Portillo. He immediately left with a detachment of sixteen men to gain contact. Four the men deserted en route but with the remaining twelve men he pushed on and overtook and gained contact with a group of forty bandits, completely routing them, killing two and wounding seven, without any casualties to his detachment. Arms, ammunition, equipment and clothing looted from the town of Portillo were recaptured. Lieutenant Carlson maintained his district in a most excellent manner and by his activities and well-directed operations kept it singularly free from banditry.

Navy Cross (Gold Star) : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Evans Fordyce Carlson (MCSN: 0-3613), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the SECOND Marine Raider Battalion, during the Marine Raider Expedition against the Japanese-held island of Makin in the Gilbert Islands on 17 and 18 August 1942. In the first operation of this type ever conducted by United States Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Carlson personally directed his forces in the face of intense fire of enemy ground troops and aerial bombing barrage, inflicting great personnel and material damage on the enemy. In the withdrawal of his forces under adverse sea conditions, he displayed outstanding resourcefulness, initiative and resolute purpose in evacuating all wounded and disabled men. His high courage and excellent leadership throughout the engagement were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Navy Cross : (Second Gold Star) : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Evans Fordyce Carlson (MCSN: 0-3613), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service as Commanding Officer of the SECOND Marine Raider Battalion in action against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, in the British Solomon Islands, during the period from 4 November 1942 to 4 December 1942. In the face of most difficult conditions of tropical weather and heavy growth, Lieutenant Colonel Carlson led his men in a determined and aggressive search for threatening hostile forces, overcoming all opposition and completing their mission with small losses to our men while taking heavy toll of the enemy. His personal valor and inspiring fortitude reflect great credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Carlson, his command and the United States Naval Service.

Legion Of Merit : The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel Evans Fordyce Carlson (MCSN: 0-3613), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Planning and Liaison Officer attached to Headquarters of the FOURTH Marine Division, prior to and during operations against enemy Japanese forces on the Island of Saipan in the Marianas Group, from 15 April to 22 June 1944. Schooled by grim experience in the art of countering Japanese strategy, Lieutenant Colonel Carlson prepared comprehensive terrain studies of the zone of action assigned the FOURTH Division and, drawing upon his knowledge of the enemy's intricate defense systems, defined the most effective methods of attacking the objective. Landing on D-Day plus 1 under heavy mortar and artillery fire, he immediately volunteered to visit front-line units in an effort to obtain information and, fearlessly moving into areas where the battle raged with savage fanaticism, repeatedly risked his life during the critical days following the invasion to reconnoiter the forward sectors, returning each time to the Command Post with vital intelligence data. Consistently sound in his evaluation of enemy positions and strength, he continued his determined efforts as the intrepid forces of the FOURTH Division swept relentlessly across the island, persevering despite the mounting fury of hostile resistance and providing first-hand information under increasingly difficult conditions until he sustained serious wounds while engaged in a front line reconnaissance on 22 June 1944. A brilliant tactician and indomitable fighter, Lieutenant Colonel Carlson rendered services of inestimable value to his Commanding General prior to and during the assault and occupation of this fiercely defended Japanese base, and his dauntless initiative, outstanding professional skill and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of tremendous opposition were important factors in the ultimate seizure of the objective. His gallant conduct throughout reflects the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Carlson and the United States Naval Service.

WEB LINKS:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evans_Carlson

FINDAGRAVE:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7362953/evans-fordyce-carlson
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