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In September 1943 he became Commander Amphibious Group Two, Fifth Amphibious Force, and in that capacity participated in the capture of Tarawa, and later in operations against the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
Invasions of the Battle of Arawe by the 112th Cavalry Regiment and parts of the Battle of Tarawa involved amphibious landings in inflatable boats against heavy enemy resistance.
In early 1944, after the Battle of Tarawa where many felt that close air support left much to be desired, General Holland Smith recommended that Marine aviators be trained to operate from aircraft carriers.
The film contains extensive amounts of actual footage of the Battle of Tarawa, however the United States Marine Corps refused to cooperate with the producers due to the theme of an officer out for glory killing his own men and a sergeant out for revenge.
During the Battle of Tarawa, he was killed in action while he led the assault on the enemy and rescued fellow Marines.