tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769870738847154628.post2427498102440983861..comments2024-03-28T12:21:46.299-07:00Comments on Roads to the Great War: Holland "Howling Mad" Smith, USMC, in the Great Warsnielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631473280484584330noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769870738847154628.post-77566590812779480122015-10-26T12:48:33.759-07:002015-10-26T12:48:33.759-07:00Ask members of the 32nd Division who survived the ...Ask members of the 32nd Division who survived the "Villa Verde Trail Operation their opinion of the "careful General McArthur" A different story entirely.<br /><br />D.L. Combs USMC (Ret)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05332292789710368544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769870738847154628.post-37217134086009045652015-10-15T09:25:51.223-07:002015-10-15T09:25:51.223-07:00I've heard stories about another "revered...I've heard stories about another "revered" marine, Chesty Puller, as well. It seems these fellows' histories are glorified like folklore heroes, but the less articulate who slug it out under their command are rarely heard. Being loosey goosey with others lives to gain an objective during wartime is more common than many will admit. Douglas MacArthur for all his criticism had Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769870738847154628.post-74651627729992512872015-10-15T07:47:56.504-07:002015-10-15T07:47:56.504-07:00Howling Mad had enemies among Marine officers as w...Howling Mad had enemies among Marine officers as well. His biographer stated he did not suffer fools gladly. At Makin Island the 27th Inf. Div. also moved slowly, albeit it's first real battle. Where 600 Japanese held up a division, while the Marines fought almost five thousand at Tarawa. The 27th still almost pure NYNG, suffered like many other national guard divisions in early part of war bill o'neillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01987598176551650867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2769870738847154628.post-4027055659853007042015-10-14T13:54:48.055-07:002015-10-14T13:54:48.055-07:00I recently spent three weeks on Saipan with the Re...I recently spent three weeks on Saipan with the Red Cross due to Typhoon Soudelor and while there had a great opportunity to study the WWII Invasion of Saipan in June/July 1944 which consisted of the 2nd & 4th Marine Divisons and the Army 27th Div (NY National Guard). L Gen Smith was the overall commander of the invasion force which at the time was the largest amphibious invasion force of theAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15644409324076070316noreply@blogger.com