Date of birth:

May 7th, 1901 (Provo/Utah, United States)

Date of death:

February 13th, 1984 (Santa Monica/California, United States)

Service number:

0-58232

Nationality:

American (1776 - present, Republic)

Roland Nesbit Smoot graduated from the Naval Academy in 1923. His first assignment was on the U.S.S. Chase. After this he attended the submarine school which was followed by assignments to the U.S.S. S-7 and U.S.S. S-26. He attended the postgraduate school in Annapolis and received his Master of Science degree at the Pennsylvania State College. After his assignment ti the U.S.S. Narwhal he returned tot he Naval Academy in 1933, this time as instructor in Engineering. After duty on board the U.S.S. Maryland he was appointed shop superintendent on the Navy Yard in Pearl Harbor. In 1939 he assumed command of the U.S.S. Aulick. Following was his comand on the U.S.S. Monssen on which he entered World War Two.

With U.S.S. Monssen he took part as escort to the U.S.S. Hornet during the famous Doolittle raid on Tokyo in 1942. The ship was further active in the Battle for Midway, the assault on Guadalcanal, the first Battle for the Savo Island and the Battle for the Eastern Solomons.
In 1942 Smoot was assigned to the West Coast Sound Training Squadron in San Diego, finally becoming its Commanding Officer. In March 1944 he was appointed Commander Destroyer Division 4, Commander Destroyer Division 7 and also acted later as Commander Destroyer Division 14 and Destroyer Division 27. Also he was acting as representative of Commander Destroyers, Pacific. In the end of 1944, beginning 1945 he assumed command of Destroyer Division 56. In July 1945 he was appointed Commanding Officer of Task Flotilla 4, Destroyers, Pacific and acted as screen commander in the Fast Carrier Task Force which was to undertake the assaults on the Japanese homeland. In Japan he became Port Director and Senior Officer in Yokosuka, Japan.

After the Second World War, Smoot became director Officer Personnel with the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington and became Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Task Force 84 in 1948. Later he became Chief of Staff and Aide to Commander Cruisers, Atlantic Fleet and in Washington with Chief of Naval Operations and once again the Bureau of Naval Personnel. In his later years he Commanded Cruiser Division 3, Mine Force Pacific Fleet and United States Taiwan Defence Command. In 1962 he was placed on the retirement list. Roland Smoot died on 13th February 1984.

Roland Nesbit Smoot was entitled to wear the Navy Unit Commendation and received for his work after the war the Distinguished Service Medal.

Career:
14th March 1941 - October 1942: Commanding Officer U.S.S. Monssen (DD 436).

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Monssen (DD-436), U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

1942

Received for his part in the Battle for the Eastern Solomons.

Received with "V" for Valor.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Commanding Officer, West Coast Sound Training Squadron, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

1943

Second award received as a golden star for on the ribbon of the first medal.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

Attack Section 1, Destroyer Squadron 65, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

December 7th, 1945

Citation:
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander, Attack Section One, Destroyer Squadron Fifty-Six, in action against enemy Japanese forces at Surigao Strait during the Battle for Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Islands on the night of 24 - 25 October 1944. Leading his ships in a daring and successful attack on the enemy battle-line, by his courage, skill in combat, and determination, Commodore Smoot gave encouragement to his force in a manner that caused his action to be very instrumental in the success of this most difficult operations. This successful attack contributed in large measure to eliminating an imminent and dangerous threat to our transports and other ships in Leyte Gulf. Commodore Smoot's high professional skill, forceful leadership, and gallant devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 345 (December 1945).
Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 13680 (December 7, 1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Rear Admiral

Awarded on:

January 14th, 1945

Synopsis:
"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commander of a Destroyer Squadron, in action against the enemy in the vicinity of Okinawa, from March to May 1945. Rear Admiral Smoot's courageous leadership, throughout this extended period of hazardous duty, inspired the officers and men under his command to a high peak of fighting efficiency. His cool and capable direction, while under constant threat of enemy air attack and on many occasions under actual attack, enabled the ships of his Squadron to deliver effective gunfire against the enemy. His courage and devotion to duty were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

Second Navy Cross received as a golden star for on the ribbon of the first Navy Cross.
Commander Destroyers Pacific Fleet: Serial 036 (January 14, 1945).
At the time of the presentation, Smoot held the rank of Rear-admiral.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Commanding Officer, Destroyer Division 56, U.S. Navy

Awarded on:

1945

Received with "V" for Valor.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Unit:

Port Yokosuka, U.S. Pacific Liaison Group, Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (FLTLOSCAP), Allied Forces

Awarded on:

1945

Second LoM received as a golden star for on the ribbon of the first LoM.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1945

Second BS with "V" received as golden star for on the ribbon of the first BS.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded on:

1945

Third BS with "V" received as golden star for on the ribbon of the first BS.

• Photo 1: Time Magazine
• - Sterner C.C., Recipients of The Navy Cross, 1916 - Present
  - Obituary Vice Admiral Roland N. Smoot, Shipmate Magazine, May, 1984
  - Home of Heroes
  - U-boat net
  - Military Times Hall of Valor