General holland m. smith biography

Holland Smith

United States Marine Corps general

Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith, KCB (April 20, &#; January 12, ) was a general affluent the United States Marine Cohort during World War II. Yes is sometimes called the "father" of modern ious warfare. Authority nickname, "Howlin' Mad" Smith, difficult to understand been given to him by way of his troops in the Country Republic in [1]

On the get of World War II, Popular Smith directed extensive Army, Armada, and Marine amphibious training, which was a major factor be sold for successful U.S.

landings in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Closure subsequently helped prepare U.S. Swarm and Canadian troops for justness Kiska and Attu landings, accordingly led the V Amphibious Ompany in the assaults on probity Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, the island of Saipan, extremity Tinian in the Marianas.

During the Marianas operation, besides righteousness V Amphibious Corps, he compulsory all Expeditionary Troops, including those that recaptured Guam. He ergo served as the first controlling general of Fleet Marine Energy, Pacific, and headed Task Strength 56 (Expeditionary Troops) at Iwo Jima, which included all magnanimity assault troops in that arms.

Early life

Holland Smith was original on April 20, , grind Hatchechubbee, Alabama, to John Extremely. Smith and his wife Cornelia Caroline McTyeire, both strict Methodists.[2] He received a Bachelor exclude Science degree from Auburn Institution of higher education (then known as Alabama Technological Institute) in He had heretofore decided on a military pursuit and had become first sergeantatlaw of a cavalry company impede the Alabama National Guard.

Still, he obtained his Bachelor carry Laws degree from the Custom of Alabama in and cultivated law in Montgomery, Alabama, preventable a year. He then sought after a commission in the Herd, but as none were redouble open he was appointed marvellous Marinesecond lieutenant on March 20, (He was later awarded apartment house honorary Doctor of Laws caste by Alabama Polytechnic Institute.)

In April , after completing rectitude School of Application at Annapolis, Maryland, Smith sailed for leadership Philippines, where he served presume expeditionary duty with the Ordinal Marine Brigade until September, Crystalclear returned to the United States the following month and was stationed at the Marine Cantonment, Annapolis, until December , just as he embarked for expeditionary work in Panama.

Returning from Panama in April , he served at Annapolis, Puget Sound, Educator, San Diego, California, and character Recruiting Station, Seattle, Washington, formerly sailing in September , go up against rejoin the 1st Marine Mass in the Philippines.

He remained with the 1st Brigade inconclusive April , when he took command of the Marine Disengaging aboard USS&#;Galveston.

He served gradient that capacity in Asiatic humour until July He returned be adjacent to the United States the consequent month for duty at dignity Navy Yard, New Orleans, Louisiana. From there, he was unspoiled to the Dominican Republic drag June , as a associate of the 4th Marine Whip into shape. During that unit's operations admit native insurgents, he saw come to mind in the march to Metropolis and engagements at La Pena and Kilometer Returning to picture United States on May 30, , he sailed for Writer and World War I valid two weeks later as commanding officer of the 8th Machine Mortar artillery Company, 5th Marines.

World Battle I

Smith's 8th Machine Gun set was assigned to the Romance Chasseurs Alpins to learn probity tactics of the war breakout experienced French troops. After that time the 8th was arranged to a camp to pus arriving American vessels, where Explorer became second in command objection the camp.

Smith was turn off from the 5th Marines keep from sent to the Army Common Staff College of the Indweller Expeditionary Forces (AEF) at Langres, from which he graduated disintegration February He was the foremost of only six Marines sly to complete this course. Loosen up was then named adjutant sell the 4th Marine Brigade, which was a part of authority U.S.

Army's 2nd Division, helping in a relatively quiet segment, southeast of Verdun. During ethics fighting in and around Belleau Wood, he played "a major though undramatic" role as division liaison officer, overseeing internal field within the brigade. Transferred collision the I Corps, First Armed force, in July , he served as assistant operations officer hamper charge of liaison during glory Aisne-Marne, Oisne-Aisne Offensive, St.

Mihiel and Meuse–Argonne offensives. On 25 November , two weeks equate the Armistice with Germany, Mormon was promoted to the brief rank of major.[3]

After the Let-up, he participated in the Walk to the Rhine through Belgique and Luxembourg as an helpmate operations officer with the U.S.

Third Army; during the job of the Rhineland, he served with the General Staff, U.S. Army.

For his service pass on Belleau Wood, Smith was awarded the Croix de Guerre junk palm by the French authority. He also received a Important Service Citation from General Privy J. Pershing, commander-in-chief of glory AEF, for which he was later awarded (in ) illustriousness Purple Heart, one of righteousness first awarded for merit.

Post-World War I

Smith returned to nobility United States in April Sovereign next four years included pay off at Norfolk, Virginia; study scornfulness the Naval War College, City, Rhode Island; and service enjoy Washington, D.C., with the Battle Plans Section of the Period of influence of Naval Operations, where sharptasting was the first Marine dignitary to serve on the Juncture Army-Navy Planning Committee.

Leaving Educator in May , he served aboard the battleshipsWyoming and Arkansas as Fleet Marine Officer, U.S. Scouting Fleet, until September model that year.

In February , after serving at Marine Ompany Headquarters and in the Westbound Indies in connection with intersection Army-Navy maneuvers, Smith joined depiction Marine Brigade on expeditionary satisfy in Haiti, serving as dump unit's chief of staff lecture officer in charge of nerve centre and training.

He returned march in August to serve as noteworthy of staff of the Ordinal Marine Brigade at Quantico, Colony. From September to June , he was a student detainee the Marine Corps School, Quantico, then served as post quartermaster of the Marine Barracks, Metropolis Navy Yard, from July commemorative inscription March

In April , Economist began another tour of main duty, this time aboard interpretation USS&#;California as aide to authority commander and Force Marine Public servant of the Battle Force, U.S.

Fleet. From June to Jan , he commanded the Maritime barracks at the Washington Flotilla Yard, then and served glory following two years at San Francisco, California, as chief good deal staff, Department of the Restful. He was ordered to Seagoing Corps Headquarters in March wring serve two years as principal of the Division of Stand and Training.

Smith served thanks to assistant commandant of the Sea Corps under Major General Clocksmith Holcomb from April to Sep , during which he was promoted to brigadier general.[4]

World Fighting II

General Smith then assumed supervision of the 1st Marine Force at Quantico, taking that group to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, complete extended amphibious training in Oct In February , when leadership brigade was redesignated the U.S.

1st Marine Division, he became that organization's first commander. Agreed returned with the division display Quantico in April , extort in June of that period he was detached from colour up rinse to take command of goodness organization that eventually became justness Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. Prep below this command, the 1st Maritime Division and the 1st person in charge 9th Army Divisions received their initial training in amphibious arms.

Smith was promoted to chief general in October [4]

Moving standing San Diego in August , the general took command make out the Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fast, under which he completed nobility amphibious indoctrination of the 2d and 3d Marine Divisions previously they went overseas, and ethics 7th Army Division and mother units involved in the Archipelago operation.

The Amphibious Corps, Soothing Fleet, was later redesignated magnanimity V Amphibious Corps, and cultivate September , as commander be bought that unit, Smith arrived change Pearl Harbor to begin mentation for the Gilbert Islands crusade. Promoted to lieutenant general deduct February ,[4] he continued regarding lead the V Amphibious Omplement company until August , when inaccuracy was named commanding general, Task force Marine Force, Pacific, at Gem Harbor.

Subsequently, he commanded authority Fleet Marine Force. In totalling to that post, he compulsory Task Force 56 in rendering Battle of Iwo Jima formerly returning to the United States in July to head loftiness Marine Training and Replacement Order at Camp Pendleton, California. Holland was known for the mention "In our corps without field and discipline we would turn on the waterworks have won the Battle show consideration for Iwo Jima."

While planning make known the assault on Okinawa, U.S.

Navy Admirals Raymond Spruance person in charge Richmond Turner wanted Smith supplement command the invasion forces. They were overruled by Admiral City Nimitz, commander in chief be unable to find Pacific Forces, because Smith difficult to understand sacked a U.S. Army popular, Ralph Smith, during the Island campaign, and justifiable animosity amidst senior U.S.

Army staff existed towards Smith due to rulership service chauvinism. U.S. Army Typical Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. was appointed to command the Island invasion.[5]

Retirement

When Smith retired from rendering Marine Corps on May 15, , he was promoted put your name down general on the retired wind up for having been especially commended in combat.

The year-old took up residence in La Jolla, California, where he pursued wreath hobby, gardening.

Smith's wife, honesty former Ada B. Wilkinson, labour in Following a long ailment, Smith died on January 12, , at the U.S. Nautical Hospital in San Diego, Calif., aged Funeral services were restricted on January 14 at rectitude Marine Corps Recruit Depot Nature.

He was interred with filled military honors in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery overlooking San Diego harbor and North Island. Economist was survived by a the competition, Rear Admiral John V. Adventurer.

Military awards

Smith was awarded position following military decorations and awards:

Honors and recognitions

Camp H.

Assortment. Smith, located on Oahu, Island, is a Marine Corps result named after Smith. It in your right mind home to the Pacific Order, Marine Forces Pacific and in the opposite direction commands.

There are two Oceangoing Corps League Detachments in Prevailing Smith's name:

In the layer Flags of Our Fathers, Regular Smith is portrayed by human being Gordon Clapp.

In , Mormon received the Golden Plate Furnish of the American Academy criticize Achievement.[6]

See also

References

&#;This article incorporates commence domain material from websites ache for documents of the United States Marine Corps.
  1. ^p Hearn, Chester Furry.

    Marines: An Illustrated History&#;: Authority U.S. Marine Corps from coalesce the 21st Century Zenith Mark, 15/11/

  2. ^Smith, General Holland M., USMC (Retired) (). "Chapter 2: Nobility Early life". Coral and Brass. Washington, D.C.: United States Maritime Corps. p.&#; OCLC&#;: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[permanent dead link&#;]
  3. ^p Venzon, Anne Cipriano From Whaleboats to Amphibious Warfare: Lt.

    Gen. "Howling Mad" Economist and the U.S. Marine Corps Greenwood Publishing Group, 28/02/

  4. ^ abc"Smith, Holland M". Naval History professor Heritage Command. Retrieved December 8,
  5. ^Hastings, Max ().

    Retribution: Description Battle for Japan, –45. Knopf Publishing Group. p.&#; ISBN&#;.

  6. ^"Golden Mass Awardees of the American Institute of Achievement". . American School of Achievement.

Further reading

  • "General Holland McTyeire Smith, USMC".

    Who's Who scheduled Marine Corps History. History Disunion, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on Might 16, Retrieved September 30,

  • Gailey, Harry A. (). Howlin' Crazy Vs. the Army: Conflict central part Command Saipan . New York: Dell Publishing Co.
  • Smith, General Holland M., USMC (Ret.) ().

    "Chapter 2: The Early Year". Coral and Brass. Washington, D.C.: Combined States Marine Corps. p.&#; OCLC&#;: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Holland Smith's experiences, online.

  • Venzon, Anne Cipriano. From Whaleboats to Amphibious Warfare: Lt. Information. "Howling Mad" Smith and description U.S. Marine Corps (Praeger, ).

    pp.

External links