26 Facts About Holland Smith

Holland Smith is sometimes called the "father" of modern US amphibious warfare.

Holland Smith subsequently helped prepare US Army and Canadian troops for the Kiska and Attu landings, then led the V Amphibious Corps in the assaults on the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, the island of Saipan, and Tinian in the Marianas.

Holland Smith then served as the first commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, and headed Task Force 56 at Iwo Jima, which included all the assault troops in that battle.

Holland Smith was born on April 20,1882, in Hatchechubbee, Alabama, to John V Smith and his wife Cornelia Caroline McTyeire, both strict Methodists.

Holland Smith received a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University in 1901.

Holland Smith had already decided on a military career and had become first sergeant of a cavalry company in the Alabama National Guard.

Holland Smith then sought a commission in the Army, but as none were then open he was appointed a Marine second lieutenant on March 20,1905.

Holland Smith returned to the United States the following month and was stationed at the Marine Barracks, Annapolis, until December 1909, when he embarked for expeditionary duty in Panama.

Holland Smith served in that capacity in Asiatic waters until July 1915.

Holland Smith returned to the United States the following month for duty at the Navy Yard, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Holland Smith was detached from the 5th Marines and sent to the Army General Staff College of the American Expeditionary Forces at Langres, from which he graduated in February 1918.

Holland Smith was the first of only six Marines ever to complete this course.

Holland Smith was then named adjutant of the 4th Marine Brigade, which was a part of the US Army's 2nd Division, serving in a relatively quiet sector, southeast of Verdun.

On 25 November 1918, two weeks after the Armistice with Germany, Holland Smith was promoted to the temporary rank of major.

Holland Smith received a Meritorious Service Citation from General John J Pershing, commander-in-chief of the AEF, for which he was later awarded the Purple Heart, one of the first awarded for merit.

In February 1924, after serving at Marine Corps Headquarters and in the West Indies in connection with joint Army-Navy maneuvers, Holland Smith joined the Marine Brigade on expeditionary duty in Haiti, serving as that unit's chief of staff and officer in charge of operations and training.

Holland Smith returned in August 1925 to serve as chief of staff of the 1st Marine Brigade at Quantico, Virginia.

Holland Smith was ordered to Marine Corps Headquarters in March 1937 to serve two years as director of the Division of Operations and Training.

Holland Smith served as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps under Major General Thomas Holcomb from April to September 1939, during which he was promoted to brigadier general.

General Holland Smith then assumed command of the 1st Marine Brigade at Quantico, taking that unit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for extended amphibious training in October 1940.

Holland Smith returned with the division to Quantico in April 1941, and in June of that year he was detached from it to take command of the organization that eventually became the Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet.

The Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet, was later redesignated the V Amphibious Corps, and in September 1943, as commander of that unit, Holland Smith arrived at Pearl Harbor to begin planning for the Gilbert Islands campaign.

When Holland Smith retired from the Marine Corps on May 15,1946, he was promoted to general on the retired list for having been especially commended in combat.

Holland Smith was interred with full military honors in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery overlooking San Diego harbor and North Island.

Holland Smith, located on Oahu, Hawaii, is a Marine Corps base named after Holland Smith.

In 1964, Holland Smith received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.