Saipcm's Conquerors

The Navy's habit of secrecy had suppressed the names of the ground commanders on Saipan although the fighting outfits had been identified early in the battle. Last week the Navy completed the record, added some familiar names to the Saipan story.

Commander of the corps that stormed the island was 62-year-old Lieut. General Holland M. ("Howlin' Mad") Smith, whose Amphibious Corps had taken Tarawa, Makin, Kwajalein. Commanders of his two Marine Divisions: the Second, blocky, 52-year-old Major General Thomas E. Watson; the Fourth, jut-jawed, 58-year-old Harry Schmidt.

The 27th Infantry Division, only Army outfit on Saipan, had a new commander before the island was finally taken: 49-year-old Major General George W. Griner, longtime infantry officer. The scuttlebutt: "Howlin' Mad" Smith had fallen out with the original division commander during the battle, summarily sacked him, put Soldier Griner in his command.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.