Vandegrift, Alexander A.

Vandegrift, Alexander A.

▪ United States officer
in full  Alexander Archer Vandegrift  
born March 13, 1887, Charlottesville, Va., U.S.
died May 8, 1973, Bethesda, Md.
 U.S. Marine Corps officer who led the first large-scale U.S. offensive against the Japanese, on Guadalcanal (Guadalcanal, Battle of) in the Solomon Islands, during World War II.

      Commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1909, Vandegrift had advanced to major general by 1942. Having served in Nicaragua, Haiti, and China, he was prepared for the jungle-warfare techniques required in the Pacific area. When the United States launched a marine amphibious assault against the Solomons in August 1942, Vandegrift surprised Guadalcanal's Japanese defenders with his bold use of concentrated, mobilized firepower. He not only made a successful landing but also managed to hold his position against repeated counterattacks despite diminishing supplies until the marines were relieved by army troops in December. In November 1943 he commanded the 1st Marine Amphibious Corps on Bougainville. He was the first marine to be awarded both the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor.

      Appointed the 18th commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps (January 1944), he became the first Marine Corps officer to hold the rank of general while still on active duty (March 1945). He retired in 1948.

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  • Alexander Vandegrift — Alexander Archer Vandegrift General …   Wikipedia Español

  • Alexander Vandegrift — General Alexander A. Vandegrift Alexander Archer Vandegrift (* 13. März 1887 in Charlottesville, Virginia; † 8. Mai 1973 in Bethesda, Maryland) war ein General des United States Marine Corps. Während des P …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Vandegrift — General Alexander A. Vandegrift Alexander Archer Vandegrift (* 13. März 1887 in Charlottesville, Virginia; † 8. Mai 1973 in Bethesda, Maryland) war ein General des United States Marine Corps. Während des P …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alexander A. Vandegrift — General Alexander A. Vandegrift Alexander Archer Vandegrift (* 13. März 1887 in Charlottesville, Virginia; † 8. Mai 1973 in Bethesda, Maryland) war ein General des United States Marine Corps. Während des Pazifikkrieges kommand …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alexander Vandegrift — Infobox Military Person name= Alexander Archer Vandegrift born= birth date|1887|03|13 died= death date and age|1973|05|08|1887|03|13 placeofbirth= Charlottesville, Virginia placeofdeath= Bethesda, Maryland placeofburial= Arlington National… …   Wikipedia

  • Alexander Vandegrift — Alexander Archer Vandegrift Surnom Archer Naissance 13 mars 1887 Charlottesville, Virginie Décès 8  …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Vandegrift, Lieutenant General Alexander — 1887–1972    Vandegrift led the 1st Marine Division in the first months of the campaign to take Guadalcanal. He was chosen to lead this campaign at very short notice and given a few months to prepare it. He had little time to collect intelligence …   Who’s Who in World War Two

  • Vandegrift — biographical name Alexander Archer 1887 1973 American general …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • USS Vandegrift — Die Vandegrift bei Raketenübungen Geschichte Bestellung 28. April 1980 Kiellegung 13. Oktober 198 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) — is an Sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate of the United States Navy. The ship was named for General Alexander A. Vandegrift (1887 ndash;1973), 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Vandegrift was built at Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Washington …   Wikipedia

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