General Holland McTyeire Smith

[thedrifter]

General Holland McTyeire Smith <br />
(1882 - 1967) <br />
<br />
General Holland McTyeire Smith, the officer who led Marines to victory island hopping across the Pacific during World War II, died on 12 January 1967...

[thedrifter]

Promoted to a three-star general, Smith led the US Marines on its assault of Saipan on 18th June 1944. Smith and his troops also invaded Tinian, an island three miles off Saipan. Japanese resistance on the two islands ended on 1st August 1944.


He continued to head the V Amphibious Corps until he was named Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific , at Pearl Harbor. In addition to that post, he commanded Task Force 56 at Iwo Jima before returning to the United States in July, 1945, to head the Marine Training and Replacement Command at Camp Pendleton, California. A lieutenant general when he was retired 15 May 1946, at the age of 64, he was promoted to general on the retired list for having been especially commended in combat.


The general holds the Distinguished Service Medal with three Gold Stars in lieu of additional awards, the Croix de Guerre with palm and the Purple Heart Medal. His other medals and decorations include the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with three bronze stars; the Mexican Service Medal; the Dominican Campaign Medal, the World War I Victory Medal with five sector clasps; the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal; the American Defense Service Medal with Base clasp; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with one silver star in lieu of five bronze stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the Dominican Order of the First Merit; and the British Order of Commander of the Bath.


Following a long illness, General Smith died 12 January 1967, at the age of 84. Funeral services were held on 14 January, at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Chapel, and the general was interred with full military honors in Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery overlooking San Diego harbor and North Island. At the time of his death, General Smith, was survived by a son, Rear Admiral John V. Smith. General Smith's wife, the former Ada B. Wilkinson, died in 1962.

General Smith resided in LaJolla, California, where he was active after his retirement, in youth activities, and pursued his hobby, gardening.

Additional Sources:
www.ibiblio.org/
www.forcerecon.com
edtech.suhsd.k12.ca.us
www.matrixgames.com
www.wayneterwilliger.com
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
www.ehistory.com
www.thewildgeese.com
www.janeresture.com


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Guam


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Makin


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continued.....

[thedrifter]

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Lt. General Holland Smith and Captain Jim Jones V Amphibious Recon Corps FMF 1944



Ellie