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Photo # NH 97767:  General Alexander A. Vandegrift, 1947

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC (1887-1973).
18th Commandant of the Marine Corps, 1 January 1944 - 1 January 1948

Alexander Archer Vandegrift was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, on 13 March 1887. In January 1909, after two years at the University of Virginia, he entered the United States Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant. He saw very active service in the Caribbean and Central America between 1912 and 1923, taking part in the capture of Coyotepe, Nicaragua, in the former year, the occupation of Vera Cruz, Mexico, in 1914 and pacification efforts in Haiti beginning in 1915.

Major Vandegrift commanded a Marine battalion while stationed at Quantico, Virginia, from 1923 and in 1926 became Assistant Chief of Staff at the Marine Corps Base, San Diego, California. Service in China in 1927-28 was followed by duty in Washington, D.C., and at Quantico. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1934, returned to China in 1935 and reached the rank of Colonel in 1936. While stationed at Marine Corps Headquarters in 1937-41, Vandegrift worked closely with the Corps' Commandant and was promoted to Brigadier General in March 1940. He became Assistant Commander of the newly-formed First Marine Division in late 1941 and the Division's Commanding General in early 1942.

Major General Vandegrift took his division to the south Pacific in May 1942 and led it in the long, harsh but successful campaign to seize and hold Guadalcanal between August and December 1942. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his "tenacity, courage and resourcefulness" during this operation. In November 1943, as a Lieutenant General, Vandegrift commanded the First Marine Amphibious Corps during the initial stages of the Bougainville campaign.

Returning to the United States in late 1943, he became Commandant of the Marine Corps on 1 January 1944. He guided the Service's continued expansion through the rest of World War II, oversaw its contraction following the conflict, and successfully defended its existence during the difficult post-war years. Promoted to four-star General effective in March 1945, Vandegrift was the first Marine Corps officer to hold that rank while on active duty. General Alexander A. Vandegrift was relieved as Commandant at the beginning of 1948 and formally retired in April 1949. He died on 8 May 1973.

The guided missile frigate Vandegrift (FFG-48), which entered service in 1984, is named in honor of General Vandegrift.

This page features selected views of General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: USMC 13975

First Lieutenant Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC


Portrait photograph. 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.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Online Image: 73KB; 580 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97768

Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC


Portrait photograph taken circa 1942.

Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 100KB; 590 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-183263

Lieutenant General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC
,
Commandant of the Marine Corps

Portrait photograph, dated 12 February 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 74KB; 565 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: USMC 12612

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

Portrait photograph, taken circa 1944.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Online Image: 73KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97769

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

Portrait photograph, taken circa 1945-47.

Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 66KB; 595 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 97767

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

Portrait photograph by MSgt. J.G. Daly, 1947.

Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

Online Image: 83KB; 585 x 765 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-CF-112-4-63

Rear Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, USN
(left), and
Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC

Working on the flag bridge of USS McCawley (AP-10), at the time of the Guadalcanal-Tulagi operation, circa July-August 1942.

Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 620 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: USMC 51822

Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, USMC
,
Commanding General, First Marine Division

At his field desk in the Division command tent on Guadalcanal, circa August-December 1942.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Online Image: 101KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 92759

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.

Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photograph Collection, 1981.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 605 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-K-14076 (Color)

General Thomas Holcomb, USMC

Receives the congratulations of Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox, upon being presented with the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his service as Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1 December 1936 to 1 January 1944. The presentation took place in Secretary Knox' office on 12 April 1944.
Looking on are Lieutenant General Alexander A. Vandegrift, Commandant of the Marine Corps (right) and Colonel James Roosevelt.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 620 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 
Photo #: USMC 94251 (color)

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.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 560 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 58352

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.

Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 



Medal of Honor citation of Major General Alexander Archer Vandegrift (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 271):

"For outstanding and heroic accomplishment above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the FIRST Marine Division in operations against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands during the period, 7 August to 9 December 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."


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 24 November 2001
New image added 15 February 2004