Alexander Vandegrift (13 March 1887-8 May 1973) was the Commandant of the US Marine Corps from 1 January 1944 to 31 December 1947, succeeding Thomas Holcomb and preceding Clifton B. Cates. Vandegrift was best-known for his victory at the Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942-1943 during World War II.
Biography
Alexander Vandegrift was born on 13 March 1887 in Charlottesville, Virginia, and he saw action with the US Marine Corps during the US occupation of Haiti and the US occupation of Veracruz during the Mexican Revolution. In early 1942, he was given command of the US 1st Marine Division and played a pivotal role in the assault on Guadalcanal during World War II.
In mid-1943, he was given command of the US 1st Marine Amphibious Corps during the Bougainville landings and became Commandant of the USMC on 1 January 1944, his final rank. In 1949, he retired from the military and died in 1973 at the age of 86.