Smoot, Roland Nesbit, VADM

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 Naval Academy 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 Surigao Straits 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.

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.