Naval History and Heritage Command

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Cleon Wade Capsas was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on October 2, 1925, son of George Alexander and Veva (Perry) Capsas. He graduated from East Nashville (Tennessee) High School in 1943, attended Mexico City College, Mexico (DF, 1947); George Peabody College, Nashville, Tennessee (AB, 1948); and had graduate work at the latter institution during 1949 and 1950.

Commissioned Ensign in the US Naval Reserve on April 26, 1945, he progressed in rank to that of Lieutenant, to date from August 1, 1951.

Reporting for active duty in September 1945, he joined the staff of Commander Mine Force, Pacific, and participated in the minesweeping operations in the Far East. He continued to serve in that assignment until September 1946, when he was relived of all active duty.

He was a member of the Organized Reserve between 1946 and 1950, and during that period participated in the Atlantic cruise January-March 1947, of the battleship Missouri, a unit of the Second Task Fleet.

Ordered into active military service in July 1950, he reported for duty on the staff of Commander Naval Forces, Marianas Islands. He returned to the United States in April 1952, for instruction at the Naval Intelligence School, Anacostia, DC. In January 1953 he became Assistant Naval Attache and Assistant Naval Attache for Air, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, his present assignment.

Lieutenant Capsas has the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; and the Navy Occupation Service Medal, Asia Clasp.

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