“Howlin’ Mad” Smith MCL, Detachment #592
Our meetings are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, except one month in the Spring for our annual picnic and December for our Christmas Party (see Calendar for those events). Breakfast is served at 0900 followed by the business meeting at 1000. The meeting location is the American Legion Post 255 located at 1834 Carson Rd, Birmingham, AL 35217.
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 159 Riverview Dr, Bessemer, AL 35023-7737
Meeting Address: American Legion Post 255, – Maps & Directions
Phone: (205) 516-8938
Email: [email protected]
2024 Officers
- Roy Adkins, Commandant
- Janna Joyner, Sr. Vice Commandant
- Donald Adkins, Jr. Vice Commandant
- Loyd Potter, Judge Advocate
- John Hilmer, Paymaster
- Roderick Zeigler, Adjutant
- John Burks, Jr., Chaplain
- David Ervin, Sgt. at Arms
- Wiley Monteabaro, Jr. Past Commandant
- VACANT , Marine4Life Liaison
- Michael Ryan, Web Sgt.
- VACANT, Newsletter Editor
- VACANT, Americanism/Historian
- VACANT, Eagle Scout Contact
- Brian L. Gierlatowicz, VAVS Contact
- Jim Davis, Toys 4 Tots Contact
Gen. Holland McTyeire “Howlin’ Mad” Smith
Jesse Johnson Andrews Jr
Holland McTyeire “Howlin’ Mad” Smith, KCB (April 20, 1882 – January 12, 1967) was a general in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He is sometimes called the “father” of modern U.S. amphibious warfare. His nickname, “Howlin’ Mad” Smith, had been given to him by his troops in the Dominican Republic in 1916.[1]
On the eve of World War II, General Smith directed extensive Army, Navy, and Marine amphibious training, which was a major factor in successful U.S. landings in both the Atlantic and Pacific. He subsequently helped prepare U.S. Army and Canadian troops for the Kiska and Attu landings, then led the V Amphibious Corps in the assaults on the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, the island of Saipan, and Tinian in the Marianas.
During the Marianas operation, besides the V Amphibious Corps, he commanded all Expeditionary Troops, including those that recaptured Guam. He then served as the first commanding general of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, and headed Task Force 56 (Expeditionary Troops) at Iwo Jima, which included all the assault troops in that battle.
