James Caporizo
U.S. Army
2015
A Stamford native, Jim is originally from the Waterside section of the city. Upon graduation
from Westhill High School in 1973, he enlisted in the Army National Guard. After completing
Basic Combat Training, Jim received Advanced Individual Training at the Army Field Artillery
School at Ft Sill, Oklahoma, and was selected to attend Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned
as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1975 and assigned to the 192nd Field Artillery, the same unit
with which his father had once served and one that has historic ties to Stamford dating back to
1642.
During the following years, Jim progressed through a variety of command and staff assignments
across the state where his leadership and expertise were further developed. In 1997, then Lieutenant
Colonel Caporizo returned to the 192nd Field Artillery as the Battalion Commander, responsible for all facets of training and operations of a combat arms organization and the 400 personnel assigned to its ranks. Jim went on to serve on the staff of the Adjutant General of Connecticut and was promoted to Colonel in 2001. His final active assignment was as Brigade Commander of the Regional Training Institute. There he oversaw and participated in the creation of several professional education and leadership development programs at the state, regional and national levels.
On his retirement in 2005, Jim was appointed as a Brigadier General in the Connecticut State Guard Reserve by Governor Rell. He is a recipient of the U. S. Legion of Merit and the Connecticut Medal of Merit. He holds a BA in Political Science and is a graduate of the U. S. Army Command and General Staff College.
As Jim and his wife, Sheila, raised their three children -- Christopher, Jamie and Lauren -- Jim began volunteering to support their activities in JROTC, band and theater, and has become known in the Stamford school system and local theater groups for his efforts