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Evans KarlsonAmerican saboteur, brigadier general (1946).
Date of Birth: 26.02.1896
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Biography of Evans Carlson
Evans Fordyce Carlson, an American guerrilla warfare expert and brigadier general (1946), was born on February 26, 1896, in Sidney, New York. He was the son of a priest and at the age of 14, he ran away from home and enlisted in the United States Army in 1912. Carlson served as a captain on the Western Front during World War I. After the war, he resigned from the military and worked as a salesman.
In 1922, Carlson joined the Marine Corps as a private and in 1927, he was sent to China as part of the 4th Marine Regiment. From 1930, he served in Nicaragua and took part in operations against rebel groups. He was recognized as a specialist in conducting sabotage operations and organizing guerrilla warfare.
From 1933 to 1935, Carlson returned to China and later commanded the presidential residence guard in Warm Springs, which was composed of Marines. During this time, he became well acquainted with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his family. In 1937, he was assigned to China again and personally sent reports to Roosevelt. He witnessed the capture of Shanghai by the Japanese army and the massacre that took place there. He also served as an observer with the Red Army of China.
Upon returning to the United States, Carlson released books titled "The Chinese War" and "The Double Star of China," actively participating in a propaganda campaign to support the U.S. embargo against Japan. In 1940, as a civilian, he traveled to China and served under General Zhu De, commander of the 8th Route Army.
After the United States entered World War II, Carlson approached General Douglas MacArthur with a proposal to organize a guerrilla unit. With permission granted, he formed the 2nd Raider Battalion, which consisted of approximately 1,000 personnel, with President Roosevelt's son, James, serving as his deputy. The battalion was based in San Diego and was later transferred to Pearl Harbor in August 1943.
The first operation conducted by Carlson, gathering intelligence on Makin Atoll in August 1943, was not particularly successful and resulted in significant losses for his unit. In November and December 1943, he led a 36-day raid behind Japanese lines on Guadalcanal Island, which was considered successful. Carlson and his unit inflicted heavy casualties on the Japanese, with the loss of only 17 personnel, including Carlson himself who was wounded. He also participated in operations on Tarawa and Saipan, though his actions only yielded positive results when conducted close to the front lines.
Accusations of unnecessary deaths of his subordinates eventually led to Carlson's resignation. His official reason for stepping down was the severe injury he sustained on Saipan. In 1945, he published the book "Big Yankee: The Life of Carlson and the Raiders," which later inspired the film "Gung Ho."
After the war, Carlson was elected as a senator from the state of California. However, due to a severe heart attack, he was unable to assume his duties. He died from a second heart attack on May 27, 1947, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.