Evening star., 1944-02-02

by Noted Navy, Army
And Marine Officers
Here are some OF the men leading
the American assault on the Mar
shall Islands-first American inva-
sion of territory the japanese held
before the war. .~.
Vice Admiral Raymond J. Spru-
ance, commander Central Pacific
force, in charge of entire operation
Born in Baltimore ST years ago;
home, Indianapolis: graduated from
Naval Academy 1907; assigned to
Pacific since June, 1912; holds Dis
tinguished Service Medal for COM
manding task force in battle of
Midway when Japanese task force
was crushed.
Gen. Corlett Lived Here.
Maj. Gen. Charles Harrison Cor
lett was born SIS years ago in Bur-
chard, Nebr., graduated from West
Point in, 1918, and Immediately drew
an Alaskan assignment; came out of
the World War with three citations
for meritorious and conspicuous
service, and resigned from Army
after service in War Department to
manage big sheep and cattle
ranch. Regaining health, he at
tended service schools, saw service
in Hawaii and Northwest and COM
manded American troops which re-
occupied Kiska in the Aleutians
campaign. Gen. Corlett lived In
Chevy Chase during his Washing
ton tour of duty.
Rear Admiral Richmond x.
Turner, leading amphibious opera
tions-Born Portland, Greg, So
years ago; home, Carmel, Calf;
graduate Naval Academy, 1908;
holds Distinguished Service Cross
for leading amphibious forces in the
Solomons, Navy Cross for COM
manding amphibious forces that
took the Gilberts.
Commanded Carrier Hornet.
Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher,
directing air support in the inva-
sion-born in Hillsboro, Wis, Sc
years ago; home, Oklahoma City;
graduate Naval Academy, 1910: vet
eran of naval aviation assignments
which began in 1915 with duty at
Naval Air Station, Pensacola; COM
mander carrier Hornet when she
carried Army bombers close to Japan
to bomb Toxic.
Maj. Gen. Holland M. Smith.
commanding marine assault troops
Born Scale, Ala. 81 years ago; won
B. S. degree from Alabama Polytech-
mic Institute in 1901 and bachelor of
laws degree from University of Ala
bama in 1908; appointed second
lieutenant of Marines in March,
1905; commanded Marine Barracks
here from June, 1888, to January,
1885, and in March, 1887, became
director at headquarters of Division
Of Operations and Training. In 1899,
appointed assistant to the Marine
Corps commandant; credited in ci-
tation accompanying Navy Cross
with laying groundwork for Ameri-
can amphibious training.
Maj. Gen. Harry Schmidt, COM
manding 4th Marine Division
Born SO years ago in Holdredge,
Nebr.; home, Stapleton, Nebr.; ap-
pointed second lieutenant in August,
1909, former instructor at Quantico.
(Vao base, later executive officer of
PaymaSter Department at head
quarters here; became secretary to
Marine Corps commandant on April
1, 1912, and on October /, 1912, was
hmade assistant to commandant.
serving until August, l943, when he
went to Pacific Coast to organize
division for present campaign.
Won Navy Cross in Last War.
Rear Admiral John Howard Hoo
ver born 81 years ago in Seville.
Ohio; home in Great Falls, Mont,
held temporary rank of vice admiral
when he commanded the Caribbean
Sea frontier and arranged for the
surrender of Martinique. He won
the Navy Cross in the World War
while patroling submarine and mine
invested waters; graduate of Army
and Navy War Colleges. commanded
various naval air stations, and the
carrier Lexington; was detached
from Caribbean duty in August.
1943, and is directing all shore based
aircraft in the Gilberts.
Rear Admiral John D. Price, born
So years ago in Augusta, Ark: home
Little Rock, Ark; graduate of Uni
verSity of Arkansas and Naval
Academy; switched to aviation after
early cruiser -minesweeper assign
ments; served as executive officer of
Anacostia Air Station, had tour of
duty here with Bureau of Aeronau-
tics, saw service in Pacific, COM
manded patrol wings three and
eight. In Marshalls assault, he is
commanding units of Fleet Air
Wing Two.
| Maj. Gen. William H. Hale, born
81 years ago in Pittsburg, Kans., was
lieutenant in the Philippine Con-
stabulary from 1913 to 1917, trans
| ferred to the American Army ard
| saw service in China and France
He was graduated from the Signal
School, taught military science and
tactics at Yale, became pilot. was
graduated from Army command
schools and commanded the Panama
Canal Zone air base He was as
signed to Hawaii in 1912 and became
| 7th Air Force commander in July,
1912. He was awarded the Distin-
guished Service Medal and Purple
Heart for services as commander of
the Army Bomber Command in the
battle of Midway.
Gen. Corlett, captain of the polo
team at West Point, was nicknamed
Cowboy Pete" by his classmates
because of his superb horsemanship
The nickname still sticks. AS a
commanding officer, one of his main
concerns is looking after his men.
His experience in Alaska and the
A1eI1tiaps he1pod prepare him for