Holland M. Smith Archives

Weary of fighting, a Japanese soldier raises his hands in surrender at Roi-Namur as a companion begins climbing out of a hole near the center of this photograph. These are two of only a handful of Japanese troops that survived the fighting on Roi-Namur, choosing surrender rather than suicide. A wary Marine covers the prisoner with his rifle, taking no chances.

Holland M. Smith

4th Marine Division in the Marshall Islands: First Time Under Fire

By Cleve C. Barkley

As 1943 drew to a close, Admiral Chester Nimitz’s Central Pacific campaign was gaining momentum. His forces had taken the Gilbert Islands that November and now targeted the Marshall Islands as the next step on the long road to Tokyo. Read more

Holland M. Smith

Combat Horror On Saipan

By David H. Lippman

In the high summer of 1944, the United States was coiling a massive fist in the Central Pacific aimed directly at the Mariana Islands, specifically Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. Read more

Holland M. Smith

“The War Between the Smiths”: High Command Feud at Saipan

By David Lippman

The ferocious battle for the island of Saipan in the Marianas was won by U.S. Marines and U.S. Read more

4th Marine Division in the Marshall Islands: First Time Under Fire

Combat Horror On Saipan

“The War Between the Smiths”: High Command Feud at Saipan

From Around the Network

Supreme Force, Supreme Defeat

The Battle of Britain: WWII’s Most Consequential Campaign?

Hero of Verdun: Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain

Rock Force Assault: MacArthur’s Invasion of Corregidor