Carlson, Capers, Inducted into inagural class of Commando Hall of Honor

Brigadier General Evans F. Carlson USMC(ret) and Major James Capers Jr. USMC(ret) were among 14 members inducted into the inaugural class of U.S. Special Operations Command's Commando Hall of Honor at a ceremony in front of USSOCOM headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 27. Read full story

Below are the citations and some images captured during the ceremony.

MAJOR JAMES CAPERS, JR.
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (RETIRED)
Major James Capers, Jr., distinguished himself during a lifetime of service to the United States and Special Operations Forces in a myriad of assignments spanning the enlisted and officer ranks, culminating as the Platoon Commander, 1st Platoon, 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division from 1966 to 1967 and subsequently, Commanding Officer, 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company from June 1975 to July 1977. Major Capers’ dedication and support to Special Operation Forces covers 21 years of training and leading indigenous forces in combat operations being a pioneer in developing special mission unit operations, leading operations other than war, participating in five major campaigns and Operation DOUBLE TALK in which his patrol attempted to rescue Prisoners of War being held in an enemy prison. His uncanny character as an enlisted Marine warranted him a battlefield commission and the honor of continuing to lead his Marines on over 64 Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols, which resulted in significant collections of information for future clandestine operations and targeting of enemy combatants.

BRIGADIER GENERAL EVANS F. CARLSON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS (RETIRED)
Brigadier General Evans F. Carlson distinguished himself during a lifetime of dedicated service to the United States and Special Operations Forces in a myriad of assignments culminating as the Commanding Officer of Second Marine Raider Battalion from February 1942 to March 1943. Brigadier General Carlson’s diverse background in several cultures abroad prepared him for his future and notable assignment as the Commanding Officer of the Second Raider Battalion. Preparation for this assignment was met with combat operations on Nicaragua in 1930, in which he lead 12 Marines to defeat 100 bandits. As commanding officer of Second Marine Raider Battalion, Brigadier General Carlson launched an amphibious attack on an enemy rear area installation known as Makin Island. This attack pressured the enemy to divert forces away from Guadalcanal and focus on potentially more behind the line attacks. This successful engagement established the foundation for what is known today as Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces.