This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Kent Weekly (SS/DSV) (DBF), EMCS
to remember
Smoot, Roland Nesbit, VADM USN(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Provo, UT
Last Address Seal Beach, CA
Date of Passing Feb 13, 1984
Location of Interment Forest Lawn Memorial Park - Glendale, California
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy. Smoot was the senior U.S. military advisor to President Chiang Kai-skek in 1958-62 during Taiwanese and Chinese tensions which became a major campaign issue between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. A graduate of the NavalAcademy in 1923, he served on destroyers, cruisers, submarines and battleships during his 40 year career. He held two Navy Crosses, one for directing a destroyer squadron against the Japanese in the WWII battle of the SurigaoStraits and the other for his efforts during the invasion of Okinawa in the latter stages of the war. After retirement be became president of an oil drilling firm. He was also president of Leisure World's home owner association in Seal Beach, California and was a board member (Council of Regents) of Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks, Glendale, California. He was the nephew of Reed Smoot, U.S. Senator from Utah, who was a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and at the time of Senator Smoot's death, was third in succession to become President of the Mormon church.
Other Comments:
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: Destroyer Squadron 56
General Orders: Commander 7th Fleet: Serial 13680 (December 7, 1944)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain Roland Nesbit Smoot (NSN: 0-58232), United States Navy, 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, Captain 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. Captain 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.
Guadalcanal Campaign (1942-43)/Battle of the Eastern Solomons
From Month/Year
August / 1942
To Month/Year
August / 1942
Description The naval Battle of the Eastern Solomons (also known as the Battle of the Stewart Islands and, in Japanese sources, as the Second Battle of the Solomon Sea took place on 24–25 August 1942, and was the third carrier battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II and the second major engagement fought between the United States Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Guadalcanal Campaign. As at the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway, the ships of the two adversaries were never within sight of each other. Instead, all attacks were carried out by carrier-based or land-based aircraft.
After several damaging air attacks, the naval surface combatants from both America and Japan withdrew from the battle area without either side securing a clear victory. However, the U.S. and its allies gained tactical and strategic advantage. Japan's losses were greater and included dozens of aircraft and their experienced aircrews. Also, Japanese reinforcements intended for Guadalcanal were delayed and eventually delivered by warships rather than transport ships, giving the Allies more time to prepare for the Japanese counteroffensive and preventing the Japanese from landing heavy artillery, ammunition, and other supplies.