David J. Ulbrich

This monograph gives one a clear and concise examination of what Thomas Holcomb meant to the USMC as a combat leader, staff officer and as the commandant who actually prepared the Corps to go to war in 1941. Ulbrich finds very little to criticize the man for, though regretfully noting that for a man who displayed so much emotional intelligence in his professional dealings it's a shame that Holcomb didn't apply this even-handed sensibility towards the opportunity minorities and women represented for the Corps. This is particularly since Holcomb's stint as U.S. Ambassador to South Africa apparently went far to raise his consciousness in regards to racial relations.… (more)