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JAMES C. CARROLL, 82; Educator and Marine


Chief Warrant Officer- 4 James C. Carroll, USMCR (Ret.) and former San Diego Unified School District administrator, died December 30, 2007.

Gunner Carroll enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in the summer of 1943 after high school graduation in Phoenix, Arizona. Upon completion of recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, PFC Carroll was ordered to Camp Elliott for tank crewman training. In early 1944 Carroll deployed from Camp Pendleton, to Hawaii for combat training. On D-Day, February 19, 1945, Cpl. Carroll serving as a tank gunner in the 2nd Platoon, C Company, 5th Tank Battalion, landed on Iwo Jima. After this historic battle, Carroll was awarded the Bronze star with combat V for conducting an individual reconnaissance mission during the D-Day landing. He was discharged in 1946.

After graduation from the University of Southern California in 1951 he moved to San Diego where he served as a teacher and administrator. Joining the Marine Corps Reserves, 4th Tank Battalion, he was promoted to staff sergeant in 1959 and gunnery sergeant in 1963. Carroll was commissioned a Marine Gunner (Chief Warrant Officer) in 1965.

He volunteered for extended active duty in 1965 and was ordered to Vietnam in June 1967. Serving as a Tank Platoon Leader with the 1st Tank Battalion in Da Nang and Hue City, Gunner Carroll conducted operations with the 1st Marine Division and the Army’s 101st Airborne Division against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army units until wounded outside Hue City in April 1968. In July 1968, he returned to the United States as a reservist where he rejoined the 4th Tank Battalion. He served as platoon leader, maintenance officer and company XO. Also returning to civilian life he served as an administrator in San Diego schools until his retirement in 1981.

Gunner Carroll’s total Marine service exceeds 34 years. He retired September 7, 1987. Since his retirement, he remained active in the Marine family by volunteering in the Toys for Tots Drive and the Youth Devil Pups programs. He has been Vice President of the Marine Corps Tankers Association for the last several years as well as a member of the Association’s Scholarship Committee. He also served as a weekly docent teaching USMC history to recruits at the Command Museum at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego until shortly before his death.

Gunner Carroll is survived by his son Thomas, daughter-in-law Nelly and granddaughter Kelsey, all of San Diego.

A celebration of his life will take place at the 4th Tank Battalion
Tues. 1/15/08 at 1530 (3:30 p.m.)
9955 Pomerado Rd.
San Diego, CA 92131-5001
Inurnment at Ft. Rosecrans is private Family only

The family suggests donations to:
MCRD MUSEUM HISTORICAL SOCIETY
For the Nate Smith Scholarship Foundation
P.O. Box 400085
San Diego, CA 92140-0085
PS..I served with Jim (or as he was known in the Corps "The buffalo" ) for some years, he was the "grand oldman " of Marine tankers..he was one hell of a tanker!

Semper Fi, Sir!

You helped secure Peace, Gunner Carroll, now rest in It. Thank you, sir.