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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