IntroductionA fighting general -- Alabama years -- The making of a Marine -- Expeditionary years -- World War I -- Between wars -- First Marine brigade: 1940 -- First Marine division: 1941 -- Marking time: 1942-43 -- Beginning the Central Pacific Drive -- Makin and Tarawa -- The Marshalls -- Lieutenant General Smith -- To the Marianas -- Securing Saipan -- Tinian and Guam -- The Saipan controversy -- Iwo Jima -- Last days of the war -- Coral and brass -- Epilogue.