Skip to content
The War AtlasThe · War · Atlas

COMMANDER // 1887–1973

Alexander A. Vandegrift

generalUnited StatesUnited States1 battle1 war

Lifespan

1887 – 1973

190019251950World War II · 1939–1945 (1941–1945 U.S. combat role)Guadalcanal — 1942–1943 · United States · World War II

Active service 1942 — 1 battle across 1 war; first command at age 55.

Profile

Alexander Archer Vandegrift was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps four-star general, Medal of Honor recipient, and a Commandant of the Marine Corps. During World War II, he commanded the 1st Marine Division to victory in its first ground offensive of the war, the Battle of Guadalcanal. For his actions on August 7, 1942 in the Solomon Islands, he was awarded the Navy Cross; and, for his actions from August 7 to December 9, 1942, during the Solomon Islands campaign, he received the Medal of Honor. From January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1947, Vandegrift served as the 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps, becoming the first active-duty U.S. Marine to be promoted four-star general in April 1945.

Source · Wikipedia · Q361467

Battles (1)

Last verified June 2026
Cite this page →Suggest a correction →