I Marine Amphibious Corps or IMAC was created on 1 October 1942 and deployed to the South Pacific, first to Hawaii, then to New Caledonia.[1] When the Marine Corps was not satisfied with the leadership of its commander, Major General Clayton Vogel, Commandant Thomas Holcomb ordered Alexander Vandegrift to take command. Vandegrift, the commander of the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Guadalcanal was promoted to Lt. General.[2]
General Vandegrift carried on in command of the Corps when its next designated commander for the invasion of Bougainville, Major General Charles Barrett died when he fell from the balcony of his quarters in New Caledonia.[3] General Vandegrift led IMAC during the invasion and was later made the Commandant.
On 15 April 1944 IMAC was renamed the III Amphibious Corps.[4]
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