Robert E. Hogaboom

Robert Edward Hogaboom (November 13, 1902 – November 11, 1993) was a decorated United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as chief of staff, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps between 1957 and 1959. Hogaboom was promoted to four-star rank upon retirement as a "tombstone general".^[1][2]

Hogaboom was also a lead member of so-called "Chowder Society", special Marine Corps Board, which was tasked to conduct research and prepare material relative to postwar legislation concerning the role of the Marine Corps in national defense.^[3]

Early career

Robert Edward Hogaboom was born on November 13, 1902, in

During his time at the academy, "Hoge" was a member of the boxing team and also was designated Expert Rifleman. He graduated on June 4, 1925, with bachelor's degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Some of his classmates also became general officers in the Marine Corps: Francis H. Brink, Lionel C. Goodeau, Harold D. Harris, John N. Hart or James Snedeker.^[4]

Hogaboom was subsequently ordered to

He embarked with 1st Marine Brigade for expeditionary duty to Nicaragua in February 1927 and spent almost three years in that country. Hogaboom took part in the jungle patrols against hostile bandits under Augusto César Sandino and later served as an instructor with Nicaraguan Constabulary, Guardia Nacional. For his service in that country, he was decorated with Nicaraguan Presidential Medal of Merit with Diploma.^[1][2]

Following his return stateside in early 1930, he served at

Hogaboom was detached in summer 1933 and attended the

He was stationed at Shanghai International Settlement under the command of Colonel Joseph C. Fegan and participated in the guard duties during a period of tensions between China and Japan. Hogaboom was ordered back to the United States in 1939 and ordered back to the staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico as an instructor. During his second tour at Quantico, he was deeply involved in the development of the amphibious warfare doctrine, its tactics and techniques.^[1][2]

World War II

During his service at Quantico, commanding general of the Marine Corps Base, Major General Holland Smith, noticed the Hogaboom's qualities as staff officer and brilliant instructor and when he received orders to assume command of Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet in San Diego, he requested Hogaboom to be assign to his staff.^[2][5]

Hogaboom was promoted to lieutenant colonel and ordered to

In November 1943, Commander of Fifth Amphibious Force, Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner, requested a more experienced Marine officer to be assigned to his staff. Admiral Turner, known as "Terrible Turner" because of his furious temper, wrote a letter to the commandant, Thomas Holcomb, demanding a substitute for his assistant chief of staff for operations, Colonel Joseph W. Knighton. Holcomb asked Holland Smith for a substitute, and he chose Hogaboom.^[2][6]

He later described his experiences under Turner:^[5][2]

The greatness of Admiral Kelly Turner was in that Kelly Turner worked his plans out in minute detail himself, right down to the last position of every amphibious vessel; where they would be, when they should be there, what they were to do. I knew him personally and I know that he was a fighting man. He was tough...he was not always fair, but he insisted on his people doing what they were supposed to do.^[5][2]

Hogaboom served as assistant chief of staff for operations and training, with additional duty as Smith's liaison officer and participated in the combat operations in

Following the war, Hogaboom took part in the occupation of Japan and returned to the United States in December 1945 for duty as a director of the Amphibious Warfare School at the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico under Brigadier General Oliver P. Smith.

Hogaboom received orders from the commandant, Alexander Vandegrift, to form and head the committee of the academic board, which conducted research on the desired characteristics for an assault transport helicopter. He and his board concluded, that "On the premise that the helicopter offers a valuable means of accelerating and dispersing the ship-to-shore movement, it is recognized that the complete replacement of all existing ship-to-shore conveyances may at some future date be desirable. Under such conditions, it would appear necessary that there be designed a relatively small type helicopter for transportation of assault troops, as well as large type helicopter capable of lifting all divisional loads. However, examination of current technical developments indicates that the latter type may not be practical for some time to come. Accordingly, it is considered more realistic to approach the problem in increments, establishing initially the characteristics for a purely assault conveyance...."'^[8]

His reports were forwarded to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air, Vice Admiral Donald B. Duncan, who distributed it through the command structure of the navy. Hogaboom and his effort helped to promote the use helicopters for future combat operations.^[1]

Chowder Society

Hogaboom later became a member of the so-called "Chowder Society", special Marine Corps Board under general Gerald C. Thomas, which was tasked by Commandant Alexander Vandegrift to conduct research and prepare material relative to postwar legislation concerning the role of the Marine Corps in national defense. Due to cuts in Marine Corps budget, the threat of merging of the Marine Corps into the United States Army, was more realistic. Also thanks to his work, he is one of the few men, who helped the future of the Corps.^[9]

While in this assignment, Hittle had the opportunity to cooperate with great names of modern Marine history such as: Merrill B. Twining, Victor H. Krulak, Merritt A. Edson, Samuel R. Shaw, James E. Kerr, James C. Murray, Jonas M. Platt, DeWolf Schatzel, James D. Hittle, Robert D. Heinl, Edward H. Hurst or Marine Corps Reserve officers John R. Blandford, Arthur B. Hanson, Lyford Hutchins, and William McCahill.^[10]

General's duty

Hogaboom was ordered to

The 1st Marine Division served under General Pate in the Korean Demilitarized Zone and because truce was already in effect, there was no major fighting at the time. Hogaboom was promoted to major general in July 1954 and assumed command of the division at that time. He was decorated with his third Legion of Merit for his service in Korea and also received Republic of Korea Gukseon Medal.^[1][7]

Hogaboom's Board

Upon arrival to the United States in January 1955, Hogaboom was ordered to the

Hogaboom was promoted to lieutenant general in December 1957 and appointed chief of staff, Headquarters Marine Corps by his old superior, now Commandant of the Marine Corps, Randolph M. Pate. He remained in that capacity until October 30, 1959, when retired after 34 years of active service and was advanced to the rank of general for having been specially commended in combat.^[1][2]

Retirement

Following the retirement from the Marine Corps, Hogaboom settled in St. Mary's City, Maryland, where he was active in civic affairs and also served as chairman of the St. Mary's City Commission, a historic preservation group. He was also active in the Marine Corps Historical Foundation, where he served as a member of the board of directors.^[2]

General Robert E. Hogaboom died on November 11, 1993, following complications of Alzheimer's disease and was buried in the cemetery of Trinity Episcopal Church. He was married twice, first time to Jean Galpin Lowe (1908–1979) and then to Maurine Holbert (1912–2010).^[2]

The Marine Corps Association's Marine Corps Gazette General Robert E. Hogaboom Leadership Writing Contest is named in his honor.^[11]

Decorations and honors

General Hogaboom's medals and decorations include:^[7]

See also

• List of United States Marine Corps four-star generals

References