Roland N. Smoot

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Roland Nesbit Smoot
Vice Admiral Roland N. Smoot, USN
Born(1901-05-07)May 7, 1901
Provo, Utah
DiedFebruary 13, 1984(1984-02-13) (aged 82)
Seal Beach, California
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Navy
Years of service1923–1962
Rank Vice admiral
Commands heldTaiwan Defense Command
Cruiser Division 3
USS Newport News
Destroyer Squadron 14
USS Monssen
USS Aulick
Battles/warsWorld War II
Navy Commendation Medal (2)
RelationsAbraham O. Smoot (grandfather)
Brigham Smoot (father)
Reed Smoot (uncle)

Roland Nesbit Smoot (May 7, 1901 – February 13, 1984) was a highly decorated officer in the

decoration awarded for valor in combat.[1]

Smoot later rose to the flag rank and held several important assignment including Command of Cruiser Division Three and Mine Force of the United States Pacific Fleet. He completed his service as commander, United States Taiwan Defense Command in May 1962.[2][3][4]

Early career

Roland N. Smoot was born on May 7, 1901, in Provo, Utah, the son of Mormon missionary and an executive of the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, Brigham Smoot and his wife Margaret. He come from deeply religious family, because his maternal grandfather was Abraham O. Smoot, an early leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and his uncle Reed Smoot was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.[2]

Young Roland graduated from the high school in

Robert L. Dennison; Marine four-star general Merrill B. Twining; Vice admirals Frederick Moosbrugger, Frederick M. Trapnell; and Rear admiral John G. Crommelin, Samuel G. Fuqua and George A. T. Washburn.[5]

Smoot graduated with

Atlantic Fleet. Smoot served aboard Chase until June 1925, when he was ordered to the Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, for submarine instruction, which he completed in December that year.[6][7]

He was subsequently assigned to submarine

Pennsylvania State College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in June 1930 with Master's degree in mechanical and diesel engineering. He was also promoted to lieutenant on June 5, 1930.[4]

Smoot was then assigned to the newly commissioned submarine

Naval War College's correspondence courses in optics; international law; and strategy & tactics.[4]

He was subsequently ordered to the

Atlantic Fleet.[9]

World War II

Smoot as Captain.

In March 1941, Smoot was ordered to the

Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton, Washington, and assumed duty in connection with fitting out of destroyer Monssen. Upon her commissioning on March 14, Smoot embarked for her shakedown and training, which he completed by the end of June 1941. The Monssen then joined the Atlantic Fleet and participated in the convoy escort duties and Neutrality Patrols to Iceland.[2][4]

Following the United States entry into World War II, Smoot commanded her in Atlantic until February 1942, when Monssen was transferred to the Pacific Theater. Smoot led his destroyer as the part of escort for aircraft carrier

Combat "V" for his service in early stage of the War.[2][3][4]

During the Japanese assault on advanced base on Midway, Monssen took part in the

Combat "V". He was promoted to commander on June 30, 1942.[2][3][4]

The Monssen then took up duties patrolling the sea routes to Guadalcanal and Smoot distinguished himself again on October 1, 1942, when one of the cargo ships,

Alhena was struck by Japanese torpedo and a fire broke out. Smoot drove off the attacking Japanese submarine, removed the wounded from the sinking vessel and took Alhena in tow. The Monssen was relieved by the tugboat Navajo next day, but Alhena was saved. For his service during the salvaging of Alhena, Smoot received his second Bronze Star Medal.[4]

Smoot was relieved by

Navy Commendation Medal. While in this capacity, he was promoted to the temporary rank of captain on May 1, 1943.[11][4]

He was subsequently ordered back to the Pacific theater and assumed command of

decoration awarded for valor in combat.[1][3][4]

In early February 1945, Smoot and his squadron covered minesweeping operations for three days prior to the

Newcomb was hit by kamikaze and Smoot shifted his flag to destroyer Richard P. Leary. For his service during the Okinawa campaign, he received his second Navy Cross.[1][3][4]

During July 1945, Smoot was promoted to the temporary rank of

Combat "V" for his service on Iwo Jima and Okinawa.[1][4]

Postwar service

Smoot (left) supervising the change of command ceremony aboard Missouri on April 19, 1950.
Smoot (left) with Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson (center) and other naval officers during briefing in 1949.

Smoot was ordered to Yokosuka in September 1945 and assumed duty as Port Director of local naval base. He remained in that capacity until November, when he reverted to his permanent rank of captain and was ordered back to the United States. Smoot reported to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., and was appointed director of officer personnel under Rear admiral Louis E. Denfeld.[4]

After three years in that capacity, Smoot was transferred to

Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz during the official ship's visit to Portugal.[4]

By the end of 1948, Smoot was ordered to the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in

Atlantic Fleet.[12][4]

Smoot was appointed chief of staff, commander, Battleship-Cruiser Force, Atlantic Fleet, in November 1949 and served in this capacity under Rear Admiral Allen E. Smith aboard Albany until July 1951, when he was transferred to Washington, D.C., for duty as Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel (Personnel Control). While in this capacity, Smoot was promoted to rear admiral.[13][14]

He returned to sea in August 1953, when assumed duty as commander, Cruiser Division Three with cruiser

Arleigh A. Burke and was promoted to vice admiral in July 1958.[3][4]

Taiwan Crisis

Upon his promotion, Smoot was ordered to

Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) under Generallisimo Chiang Kai-shek. During the conflict Smoot's ships provided escort for supply convoys destined for Kinmen and the Matsu Islands and he was decorated with the Order of the Sacred Tripod by Chiang Kai-shek.[15][2][16][17]

Smoot remained on Taiwan and was responsible for the defense of that country, training of the Republic of China Navy and also served as Senior U.S. Military Advisor to Chiang Kai-shek until May 1962, when he was relieved by vice admiral Charles L. Melson. For his service on Taiwan, Smoot was decorated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and also received the Order of the Cloud and Banner by Chiang Kai-shek. He was also made an honorary citizen of Taipei.[15][18]

Retirement

Following his retirement from the Navy on June 1, 1962, Smoot assumed job as Executive Director of the Anti-Communism Voters League and later became the President of an Oil Drilling firm and also president of Leisure World's home owner association in Seal Beach, California, and a board member (Council of Regents) of Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks, Glendale, California.[19]

Vice Admiral Roland N. Smoot died on February 13, 1984, aged 82, in

European Theater and a daughter, Sally Doone.[20][11]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice admiral Smoot:[1]

Gold star
V
Gold star
V
Gold star
Gold star
V
Gold star
"A" Device
Silver star
Silver star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Submarine Warfare insignia
1st
Row 		Navy Cross
with one 5⁄16" Gold Star 		Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Combat "V" and one 5⁄16" Gold Star
2nd
Row
Combat "V" and two 5⁄16" Gold Stars
Combat "V" and one 5⁄16" Gold Star
 Navy Unit Commendation American Defense Service Medal
with "A" Device
3rd
Row
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
 American Campaign Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal
with two silver and one bronze 3/16 inch service stars
World War II Victory Medal
4th
Row 		Navy Occupation Service Medal National Defense Service Medal
with one star 		Korean Service Medal Philippine Liberation Medal
with two stars
5th
Row
Military Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz, rank Officer (Portugal
)
Republic of China
)
Republic of China
)
United Nations Korean Medal

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Valor awards for Roland N. Smoot". valor.militarytimes.com. Militarytimes Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "A 'Smooth' Admiral; The New York Times, September 4, 1958, page 5". timesmachine.nytimes.com. New York Times Websites. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Smoot, Roland N., Vice Adm., USN (Ret.) - United States Naval Institute. United States Naval Institute Websites. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  4. ^
    ISBN 0-4422-6068-7
    . Retrieved December 8, 2017. apples.
  5. ^ "Lucky Bag - USNA Class of 1923, page 63". United States Naval Academy. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1923. pp. 50–51. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  7. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1924. pp. 58–59. Archived from the original on 28 July 2016.
  8. ^ "Submarine V-5 Dives 332 Feet; Breaks Navy Record for Depth". The New York Times. October 22, 1930.
  9. ^ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Washington DC: Government Printing Office. 1 July 1939. p. 34. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016.
  10. ^ "'I am a Survivor'". May 2021.
  11. ^ a b "Commo. Smoot Presented Commendation Ribbon, Coronado Eagle and Journal, Volume XXXIII, Number 36, 6 September 1945, page 6". California Digital Newspapers Collection. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
  12. ^ "USS NEWPORT NEWS (CA 148) – Commanding Officers". navsource.org. NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive Websites. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  13. ^ "Ens. Sullivan graduated, Coronado Eagle and Journal, Volume 44, Number 45, 7 November 1957, page 11". California Digital Newspapers Collection. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
  14. ^ "Smoot in New Navy Post; The New York Times, July 21, 1951, page 17". timesmachine.nytimes.com. New York Times Websites. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  15. ^ a b "Congressional Record 1964 - Government Printing Officer, page 20092" (PDF). govinfo.gov. Government Printing Officer Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  16. ^ "High Seas Buffer - The Taiwan Patrol Force, 1950–1979, page 102". digital-commons.usnwc.edu. U.S. Naval War College Digital Commons Websites. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  17. ^ "QUEMOY SUPPLIED AS FIRING CEASES; The New York Times, October 7, 1958, page 1". timesmachine.nytimes.com. New York Times Websites. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  18. ^ "FORMOSANS HONOR AMERICAN ADMIRAL, Santa Cruz Sentinel, Volume 103, Number 143, 17 June 1959, page 22". California Digital Newspapers Collection. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
  19. ^ "These Groups Endorse AMERICANS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ACTION, La Habra Star, Number 42, 31 October 1962, page D-1". California Digital Newspapers Collection. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
  20. ^ "Find a Grave Memorial - VADM Roland Nesbit Smoot". findagrave.com. Find a Grave Memorial Websites. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
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