Holland McTyeire Smith, born April 20, 1882, was educated at the preparatory school at Seale, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Alabama Law School before being commissioned a lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1915. He advanced to brigadier general in 1939, major general in 1941, lieutenant general in 1944, and general in 1946, and during his tenure was the highest ranked general in the Marine Corps. He took part in numerous campaigns, was acknowledged as the "Father of Amphibious Warfare," and was best known for his brilliant command of major battles in the Pacific during World War II, including Iwo Jima. His decorations included the Meritorious Service Citation from the Commander-In-Chief, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, four Distinguished Service Medals, the Purple Heart, the Expeditionary Medal with Three Bronze Stars, the Mexican Service Medal, the Victory Medal-Aisne-Saint Mihiel-Muese-Argonne Clasp, the Dominican Republic Medal, the Dominican Order of the First Merit, the British Order of Commander of the Bath, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with Five Stars. He was the son of John V. and Cornelia McTyeire Smith; his father, a Confederate veteran, held many county offices and rose to the presidency of the Alabama Railroad Commission. Smith died January 12, 1967, and is interred at Fort Rosencrans, California.