Medal of Honor Recipient: Marine General Alexander Archer Vandegrift

Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC, with his staff on Guadalcanal, 1942. Painting by  by Col. Charles Waterhouse, USMCR (ret).

General Alexander Archer Vandegrift, USMC (March 13, 1887 – May 8, 1973) was a General in the United States Marine Corps. He commanded the 1st Marine Division to victory in its first ground offensive of World War II, the Battle of Guadalcanal. For his actions during the Solomon Islands campaign, he received the Medal of Honor. Vandegrift later served as the 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps, and was the first U.S. Marine to hold the rank of four-star general while on active duty.

Alexander Archer Vandegrift was born on March 13, 1887 in the small town of Charlottesville, Virginia where his father of Dutch descent was an architect and contractor. Young Vandegrift, known as "Archer" in his boyhood, had an interest in the military – both from reading military history novels and from stories of ancestors who fought in various wars.

He attended the University of Virginia for three years; then received his commission in the U.S. Marine Corps through a week-long competitive examination in 1908, becoming a second lieutenant on January 22, 1909.

While at the Marine Corps Schools in 1909 he wrote a prophetic article entitled "Aviation, the Cavalry of the Future." As Commandant, he appointed the Hogaboom Board, named for Major General Hogaboom, the chairman, that began the USMC's development of vertical envelopment, the use of helicopters for air assault. During his early years as a Second Lieutenant, General Vandegrift was also very nearly dismissed from the Marine Corps due to disciplinary infractions and negative evaluations. In his first Marine Corps evaluation, dated June 30, 1909, Vandegrift received an overall rating of "Not Good" with these remarks from the Commander of the Marine Officers School.

This officer has not shown that he appreciates the responsibilities of his position as an officer, and unless there is a decisive improvement, his relations will not be to the advantage of the service.

In Vandegrift's next evaluation, dated December 1909, he received a "Good and Tolerable" rating and next was rated as "Excellent" upon reporting to the Marine Corps Barracks, Navy Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1910.

Following instruction at the Marine Officers' School, Port Royal, South Carolina, his first tour of duty was at the Marine Barracks, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In 1912, he went to foreign shore duty in the Caribbean, first to Cuba and then to Nicaragua. He participated in the bombardment, assault, and capture of Coyotepe in Nicaragua. Then in 1914, he participated in the engagement and occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico.

In December 1914, following his promotion to first lieutenant, he attended the Advance Base Course at the Marine Barracks, Philadelphia. Upon completion of schooling, he sailed for Haiti with the 1st Marines and participated in action against hostile Cacos bandits at Le Trou and Fort Capois, Haiti.

In August 1916, he was promoted to captain and became a member of the Haitian Constabulary at Port-au-Prince, where he remained until detached to the United States in December 1918. He returned to Haiti again in July 1919 to serve with the Gendarmerie d'Haiti as an Inspector of Constabulary. He was promoted to major in June 1920.

Major Vandegrift returned to the U.S. in April 1923 and was assigned to the Marine Barracks, MCB Quantico, Virginia. He completed the Field Officers' Course, Marine Corps Schools in May 1926. He then was transferred to the Marine Corps Base San Diego, California as Assistant Chief of Staff.

In February 1927, he sailed for China where he served as Operations and Training Officer of the 3rd Marines with Headquarters at Tientsin. He was ordered to Washington, D.C., in September 1928 where he became Assistant Chief Coordinator, Bureau of the Budget.

Following duty in Washington, D.C., he joined the Marine Barracks, Quantico, where he became Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 Section, Fleet Marine Force (FMF). During this assignment, in June 1934, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.

Ordered to China in June 1935, LtCol Vandegrift served successively as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment at the American Embassy in Peiping. Promoted to colonel in September 1936, Col Vandegrift reported to Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), Washington, D.C. in June 1937, where he became Military Secretary to the Major General Commandant. In March 1940, he was appointed Assistant to the Major General Commandant, and the following month was promoted to brigadier general.

Brigadier General Vandegrift was ordered to the 1st Marine Division in November 1941, shortly before the United States of America entered World War II. He was promoted to major general in March 1942 and sailed for the South Pacific Area that May as commanding general of the first Marine division to ever leave the shores of the United States. On August 7, 1942, in the Solomon Islands, he led the 1st Marine Division in the first large-scale offensive action against the Japanese. For outstanding service as Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division during the attack on Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Gavutu in the Solomon Islands, he was awarded the Navy Cross and for the subsequent occupation and defense from August 7 to December 9, 1942, received the Medal of Honor.

In July 1943, he assumed command of the 1st Marine Amphibious Corps and commanded this organization in the landing at Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Northern Solomon Islands, on November 1, 1943. Upon establishing the initial beachhead, he relinquished command and returned to Washington, D.C. as Commandant-designate.

On January 1, 1944, as a lieutenant general, he was sworn in as the 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps. On April 4, 1945, he was appointed general, with date of rank from March 21, 1945, the first Marine officer on active duty to attain four-star rank.

During his tenure as Commandant, the Marine Corps faced institutional threats from Army efforts to absorb the mission of the Marines. Though the Navy was sympathetic to the Marine Corps' predicament, it was ready to accept the diminishment of the Corps in exchange for keeping naval aviation from consolidation with the Air Force. The post-war discussions on the restructuring of the American defense establishment opened the door to diminishing the mission and role of the Marine Corps in the new defense structure. Proponents of such cuts included President Harry Truman and General Dwight Eisenhower. In this power struggle, the Marine Corps aligned itself with Congress, warning against the encroachment on civilian oversight within the Army proposals.

To clinch the support of Congress, Commandant Vandegrift delivered the famous "bended knee speech" on May 6, 1946 to the Senate Committee on Naval Affairs. In it, he stated:

The Marine Corps...believes that it has earned this right—to have its future decided by the legislative body which created it—nothing more. Sentiment is not a valid consideration in determining questions of national security. We have pride in ourselves and in our past, but we do not rest our case on any presumed ground of gratitude owing us from the Nation. The bended knee is not a tradition of our Corps. If the Marine as a fighting man has not made a case for himself after 170 years of service, he must go. But I think you will agree with me that he has earned the right to depart with dignity and honor, not by subjugation to the status of uselessness and servility planned for him by the War Department.

For outstanding service as Commandant of the Marine Corps from January 1, 1944 to June 30, 1946, General Vandegrift was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He left active service on December 31, 1947 and was placed on the retired list on April 1, 1949.

The general co-authored a book chronicling his experiences in World War II. The book is titled Once a Marine: The Memoirs of General A. A. Vandegrift Commandant of the U.S. Marines in World War II.

General Vandegrift died on May 8, 1973, at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, after a long illness. His interment was on May 10, 1973 at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Birth name: Alexander Archer Vandegrift

Nickname: Archie

Born: March 13, 1887, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.

Died: May 8, 1973 (aged 86), Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.

Buried at: Arlington National Cemetery

Allegiance: United States of America

Service/branch: United States Marine Corps

Years of service: 1909–1949

Rank: General

Commands held:

1st Marine Division

I Marine Amphibious Corps

Commandant of the Marine Corps

Battles/wars:

Banana Wars

Battle of Cayotepe

Battle of Le Trou

Battle of Fort Capois

Mexican Revolution

Battle of Veracruz

World War II

Battle of Guadalcanal

Battle of Bougainville

Awards:

Medal of Honor

Navy Cross

Navy Distinguished Service Medal

Companion of the Order of the Bath (United Kingdom)

Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (United Kingdom)

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau (Netherlands)

Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (France)

Dates of Rank:

Second Lieutenant: January 16, 1909

First Lieutenant: November 10, 1914

Captain: August 29, 1916

Major (Temporary for war service): July 1, 1918

Captain (Peacetime reversion): July 31, 1919

Major: July 4, 1920 (Backdated to June 4, 1920)

Lieutenant Colonel: November 15, 1934 (Backdated to May 29, 1934)

Colonel: September 1, 1936

Brigadier General: April 11, 1940

Major General: March 20, 1942

Lieutenant General: July 28, 1943

General: April 4, 1945 (Backdated to March 21, 1945)

Medal of Honor Citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the

MEDAL OF HONOR

to

MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER VANDEGRIFT

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For outstanding and heroic accomplishment above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Division in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during the period August 7, to December 9, 1942. With the adverse factors of weather, terrain, and disease making his task a difficult and hazardous undertaking, and with his command eventually including sea, land, and air forces of Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Major General Vandegrift achieved marked success in commanding the initial landings of the United States forces in the Solomon Islands and in their subsequent occupation. His tenacity, courage, and resourcefulness prevailed against a strong, determined, and experienced enemy, and the gallant fighting spirit of the men under his inspiring leadership enabled them to withstand aerial, land, and sea bombardment, to surmount all obstacles, and leave a disorganized and ravaged enemy. This dangerous but vital mission, accomplished at the constant risk of his life, resulted in securing a valuable base for further operations of our forces against the enemy, and its successful completion reflects great credit upon Major General Vandegrift, his command, and the United States Naval Service.

/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

Namesake and Other Honors

General Vandegrift held an honorary degree of Doctor of Military Science from Pennsylvania Military College, and honorary degrees of Doctor of Law from Harvard, Colgate, Brown, Columbia, and Maryland Universities and John Marshall College.

In 1982, the frigate, USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) was named in his honor.

The main street that runs through Camp Pendleton is named Vandegrift Blvd in his honor.

A former military housing complex, now civilian housing, for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio, has streets named for World War II commanders including Gen Vandegrift, Gen Eisenhower, Adm Nimitz and others.

Family

Vandegrift married Mildred Strode (1886–1952) on June 29, 1909. They had one son, Alexander Archer Vandegrift, Jr. (1911–1969 ), a Marine Corps colonel who fought in both World War II and in the Korean War. He married, after Mildred's death, to Kathryn Henson (1903–1978).

In Popular Culture

Vandegrift was portrayed in the 1960 film The Gallant Hours by Raymond Bailey, the 2006 film Flags of Our Fathers by Chris Bauer, and the 2010 miniseries The Pacific by Stephen Leeder.

A fictionalized account of Vandergrift and the U.S. Marines on Guadalcanal are featured in the The Corps series by W.E.B. Griffin.

Military Offices

Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division: March 23, 1942 – July 8, 1943. Preceded by Philip H. Torrey. Succeeded by William H. Rupertus

Commandant of the United States Marine Corps: 1943–1947. Preceded by Lt. Gen. Thomas Holcomb. Succeeded by Gen. Clifton B. Cates

General Alexander Archer Vandegrift, 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps (1944–1947).

Maj.Gen. A.A. Vandegrift, commander 1st Marine Division, in his tent on Guadalcanal, 1942.

Original caption: Lieutenant General Thomas A. Holcomb, Colonel Merritt A. Edson, and Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift caught in a candid shot during the Lieutenant General's inspection on Guadalcanal. December 1942."

Guadalcanal Get Together: Shown left to right; General Woods, General Alexander A. Vandegrift, and Col. Thomas at Vandegrift's headquarters on Guadalcanal.

American Lieutenant General Thomas Holcomb, CMC, makes an inspection tour of the 7th Marine Regiment on Guadalcanal in December 1942. Left to right: General Alexander A. Vandegrift, 1st Division commander; Lieutenant General Holcomb; Colonel Amor L. Sims, regimental commander; and Lieutenant Colonel Julian N. Frisbie, executive officer.

1st Lt. Alexander A. Vandergrift, USMC. Though dated 5 April 1917, this image must have been taken in 1914-1916, as Vandegrift was promoted to Captain on 29 August of the latter year.

General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps, 1944-1947.

Lt.Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC.

Lt.Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC, 1944.

Lt.Gen. A. A. Vandegrift as he appeared while commanding I Marine Amphibious Corps in 1943. The only Marine Corps-specific insignia on the General's uniform is the left collar ornament worn on the left curtain of his overseas cover.

Maj.Gen. A.A. Vandegrift (rear of jeep, left) riding through Guadalcanal jungle in November 1942.

Commanding Officers Meet: Rear Admiral John S. McCain, USN, former commander of the Naval air forces in the South Pacific, and Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC, Commander of the Marines battling at Guadalcanal, exchange greetings at an American base in the Solomons. Admiral McCain has since returned to Washington to become Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics.

Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt presents the Medal of Honor to Maj.Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, with the aid of his wife.

Pedro del Valle, Thomas Holcomb, and Alexander Vandegrift, 1942.

Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC. Note Medal of Honor Ribbon above ribbon bar.

Maj.Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC.

Lt.Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC.

Melbourne, Australia, 21 May 1943. Four legendary Marines at an award ceremony for the Medal of Honor. Left to right, Maj.Gen. A.A. Vandegrift, Col. Merritt 'Red Mike' Edson, 2nd Lt. Mitchell Paige, Plt.Sgt. John Basilone. Of note are the locally procured Australian battledress blouses worn Edson, Paige and Basilone.

Washington, D.C., January 1944. Gen. Holcomb receives the Distinguished Service Medal from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox. Also present are Gen. A.A. Vandegrift and Lt.Col. James Roosevelt.

Maj.Gen. Julian Smith (left) confers with Lt.Gen. A.A. Vandegrift in New Zealand. Smith took command of the Second Marine Division on 1 May 1943.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. A.A. Vandegrift awards the Bronze Star Medal to SSgt. James Moser of Culpeper, Virginia. Moser was drafted as a combat correspondent in 1943 and served with the 1st Marine Division on Cape Gloucester and Okinawa. He volunteered for service on Guam and his Bronze Star was awarded for his courage and professional skill there. He was wounded on Guam and recuperated in the United States prior to returning to the Old Breed.

Rear Adm. Turner and Maj.Gen. A.A. Vandegrift confer aboard USS McCawley (AP-10) circa July-August 1942 prior to the Guadalcanal landings.

Gregory "Pappy" Boyington receives the Navy Cross from Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift.

Gen. Vandergrift (left) with staff on USS McCawley: Lt.Col. Gerald Thomas, Lt.Col. Randolph McPate, Lt.Col. Frank Goettge, Col. William James.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 April 1943. Major General A.A. Vandegrift, commanding 1st Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps (left) with Lieutenant General Sir Leslie Morshead, KCB, KBE, CMG, DSO, ED, general officer commanding Second Australian Corps (center) and Lieutenant General H.D. Wynter, CB, CMG, DSO, of Allied Land Headquarters (right), at a dinner held at the officers mess of the staff of Signal Officer in Chief, Australian Military Forces, at the termination of combined operations exercises by American army and naval forces and the RAAF. All senior ranking officers of American and Australian headquarters attended as well as senior formation commanders under the command of General Sir Thomas Blamey, GBE, KCB, CMG, DSO, Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces, Southwest Pacific Area and senior officers of the U.S. and Australian navies and the Royal Australian Air Force. In the background are (left), Major General G.A. Vasey, CB, CBE, DSO, General Officer Commanding 7th Australian Division and Major General C.E.M. Lloyd, CBE, Adjutant General, Allied Land Forces.

Lieutenant General Vandegrift with US Marine Corps Colonel (and fellow Medal of Honor recipient) David Shoup, 1943.

Admiral William F. Halsey, USN (left), Commander South Pacific Force Confers with Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC, Commanding General, First Marine Division, at South Pacific Force headquarters, Noumea, New Caledonia, in January 1943.

Navy and Marine Corps leaders. At a conference on Guam, 11 August 1944. They are (from left to right): Major General Roy S. Geiger, USMC, who commanded ground forces during the recapture of Guam the month before; Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, USN, Commander, Fifth Fleet; Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith, USMC, who commanded ground forces during the Marianas operation; Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN, Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas; and Lieutenant General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps. Photographed by TSgt. James N. Carroll, USMC.

During a visit to Marines in late April, the Commandant, Gen Alexander A. Vandegrift, second from left, called on Maj.Gen. Francis P. Mulcahy, center, commander of the Tactical Air Force, Tenth Army, and three of his pilots: Maj. George C. Axtell, Jr., left; Maj. Jefferson D. Dorroh, second from right; and Lt. Jeremiah J. O'Keefe. Maj. Axtell commanded VMF-323, the "Death Rattlers."

14 June 1942, Wellington Harbor, New Zealand. Maj.Gen. Vandegrift (wearing overcoat), and Brig.Gen. Rupertus (center), confer dockside after debarkation. In the background at right is Lt.Col. John D. Macklin, an officer in the D-4 section. He was later assigned as the divisional Ordnance Officer.

14 June 1942, Wellington Harbor, New Zealand. Maj.Gen. Vandegrift and Brig.Gen. Rupertus confer dockside after debarkation. In mid-frame looking left is Col. William C. James, Divisional Chief of Staff.

August 1942. Maj.Gen. Vandegrift (center) and Col. William C. James, Divisional Chief of Staff, render honors at the flag raising ceremony on recently captured Henderson Field.

Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, seen from the air.

Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts: Honorees and other dignitaries following ceremonies awarding honorary degrees to senior leaders of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, 1946. Those seated are (from left to right)): Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN; General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower; Harvard University President J.B. Conant; General of the Army Henry H. Arnold, USAAF; General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC; Colonel W. D. Cleary, U.S. Army Chaplain. Those standing are (from left to right)): Nathan Pereles, Secretary, Harvard Club; Paul H. Buck, Provost; Byron Price; J.L. O'Brian, President, Harvard Alumni Association; F.P. Graham, President, University of North Carolina; P.M. Hamilton; H.B. Bigelow, Professor of Zoology, Harvard University.

Vandegrift grave site.