Jim Carano was born in 1942 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. He graduated from College High School in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, in 1961, then attended Oklahoma State University, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. After graduation James was drafted into the U.S. Army on September 16, 1966, and after completing Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training, he applied for and was accepted into the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Candidate School. Carano was commissioned a 2d Lt in the Army at Fort Benning, Georgia, on July 18, 1967, followed by service as a Personnel Officer for the Western Area Military Traffic Management and Terminal Service at Oakland, California, from July 1967 to June 1968. His next assignment was as 8th U.S. Army Enlisted Assignment Officer with Headquarters, 8th U.S. Army in Seoul, South Korea, from June 1968 to July 1969, and then as Chief of the Enlisted Personnel Division with Headquarters Fifth U.S. Army at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, from July 1969 to July 1970. Capt Carano attended the Adjutant General Corps Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana, and then deployed to Southeast Asia, where he served as Chief of the Enlisted, Officer, and Personnel Service Division with the 23d Infantry Division (Americal) at Chu Lai, South Vietnam, from December 1970 to December 1971. His next assignment was as Chief of Personnel and the Adjutant General for the School Brigade at the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Center and School from January 1972 to 1974, followed by service as Chief of the Military Personnel Division for U.S. Army Readiness Region V at Fort Sheridan from 1974 to 1975. Maj Carano transferred to the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in 1975, and then attended the U.S. Army Medical Department Officer Advanced Course before serving as Personnel Officer with the U.S. Army Hospital at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, from 1975 to 1978. His next assignment was as 7th Medcom Assignment Officer with Headquarters 7th U.S. Army Medical Command at Heidelberg, West Germany, from 1978 to 1981, and then as Battalion Executive Officer, School Brigade, with the Medical Command at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from 1981 to 1982. Col Carano served as Detailed Inspector General at William Beaumont U.S. Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, from 1982 to 1986, and then as Deputy Branch Chief for the U.S. Army Dental Corps at Alexandria, Virginia, from 1986 to 1989. His final assignment was as Deputy Hospital Commander at Fort Huachuca from 1989 until his retirement from the Army on July 1, 1994. Col Carano was inducted into the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1991, recognizing his progression from a draftee Private E-1 to Colonel during the course of his 28 year career. Jim Carano and his wife Kathy are the proud parents of Anthony and Michelle Carano, and grandparents of Kyle and McKenzie Walker, and Madelyn and Grace Carano.

His 2nd Legion of Merit Citation reads:

For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in various positions of great responsibility during the period 1 July, 1984 to 30 June, 1994, ending as Deputy Commander for Administration, United States Army Medical Department Activity, Ft. Huachuca, AZ. Colonel Carano implemented Gateway to Care initiatives, mentored Junior Officers, developed business plans, and delivered compassionate, courteous and comprehensive health care to soldiers and their families. He was a major factor in the activity maintaining the civilian payroll at budget for the past several years. He was involved in developing health care plans for programs for primary health care to improve efficiency of space management. Colonel Carano’s performance of duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service reflecting great credit upon him, the Army Medical Department, and the United States Army.