Stock Photo - Holland Smith.Holland McTyeire ""Howlin' Mad"" Smith (April 20, 1882 – January 12, 1967) was a general in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. Also known as the ""father"" of amphibious warfare", he was the architect of the plan, as well as the leader of the US invasion of the island of Iwo Jima. Smith commanded the 22nd Marine Division in the fighting on Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. He then became the commander of the Polynesian Fleet, based at Pearl Harbor, where he was responsible for naval and amphibious assaults on Pacific islands. Eventually, he was named commander in chief of the Sixth Fleet and commander of combined forces in the Pacific.