General Roy S. Geiger, USMC Marine Aviator, Joint Force Commander by Major James B. Wellons USMC

Author:Major James B. Wellons USMC [USMC, Major James B. Wellons]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, United States, Europe, General, Germany, Aviation
ISBN: 9781786250896
Google: 4ChwCwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2015-11-06T05:08:15+00:00

Chapter 7 — ICEBERG

Having led two amphibious campaigns over the previous four months, General Geiger returned to the US in the fall of 1944 and enjoyed a brief leave in Pensacola, FL. In December, Geiger was recalled to CINCPAC HQ in Honolulu, where he testified before a special committee that was considering the plans to reorganize the armed forces. In his testimony, Geiger indicated that he favored a three departmental system with independent air, ground, and naval forces, given the distinctions in the mediums in which those forces operate. He emphasized the importance of maintaining an aviation capability in the Navy and Marine Corps, however, stating that “the use of air is an essential factor in performing any military task” and that “aviation must be available for training with ground forces for the mutual benefit of air and ground personnel.”{300}

The primary reason for Geiger’s return to the Pacific was to join the planning team for the anticipated capture of Okinawa, codenamed ICEBERG. For this final operation of the Pacific campaign, Vice Admiral Ray Spruance was to provide overall command as TF-50, while Vice Admiral Kelly Turner commanded the Joint Expeditionary Force as TF-51. General Simon Bolivar Buckner was designated as Commander, Expeditionary Troops ashore (TF-56) in addition to his primary duties as Commander, Tenth Army. Serving under Buckner, Major General Geiger held command of the III MAC, with Major General John Hodge in command of the XXIV Corps. As had been the case in the Guam campaign, Geiger was fortunate to participate in the detailed planning for ICEBERG from the very beginning.

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