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Holland Smith | |
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Birth name | Holland McTyeire Smith |
Nickname(s) | "Howlin' Mad" Father of Modern Amphibious Warfare |
Born | Seale, Alabama, U.S. | April 20, 1882
Died | January 12, 1967 San Diego, California, U.S. | (aged 84)
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1905–1946 |
Rank | General |
Commands | Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps 1st Marine Brigade 1st Marine Division V Amphibious Corps |
Battles / wars | |
Awards | Navy Distinguished Service Medal (4) Purple Heart Medal Croix de Guerre |
Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith, KCB (April 20, 1882 – January 12, 1967) was a general in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He is sometimes called the "father" of modern U.S. amphibious warfare. His nickname, "Howlin' Mad" Smith, had been given to him by his troops in the Dominican Republic in 1916.[1]
On the eve of World War II, General Smith directed extensive Army, Navy, and Marine amphibious training, which was a major factor in successful U.S. landings in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He subsequently helped prepare U.S. 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.
During the Marianas operation, besides the V Amphibious Corps, he commanded all Expeditionary Troops, including those that recaptured Guam. He then served as the first commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, and headed Task Force 56 (Expeditionary Troops) at Iwo Jima, which included all the assault troops in that battle.