Alexander Archer Vandegrift was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps four-star general, Medal of Honor recipient, and a Commandant of the Marine Corps. During World War II, he commanded the 1st Marine Division to victory in its first ground offensive of the war, the Battle of Guadalcanal. For his actions on August 7, 1942 in the Solomon Islands, he was awarded the Navy Cross; and, for his actions from August 7 to December 9, 1942, during the Solomon Islands campaign, he received the Medal of Honor. From January 1, 1944 to December 31, 1947, Vandegrift served as the 18th Commandant of the Marine Corps, becoming the first active-duty U.S. Marine to be promoted four-star general in April 1945.
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