Camp H.M. Smith - Aiea, Hawaii

This large flag flies high on the top of Halawa Heights in Aiea, Hawaii. Also atop Halawa Heights is Camp H.M. Smith, the headquarters of the Commander in Chief, US Pacific Command and the commander Marine Forces Pacific. This 220-acre site was originally sugar cane fields. It was purchased in 1941 to build a naval hospital. The hospital was commissioned on November 11, 1942 and continued to expand. The Aiea Heights Naval Hospital served thousands of sailors and marines throughout World War II until it was deactivated in 1949 because the Navy and Army medical centers were consolidated at what is now Tripler Army Medical Center which is in Moanalua.

In 1955 the Marine Corps selected the former naval hospital to be the home of the Fleet Marine Force Pacific. The camp was named in honor of Gen. Holland McIntyerie "Howlin' Mad" Smith of WWII fame, the first Commanding General of the Fleet Marine Force Pacific. In 1957 Camp Smith also became the home of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command. In 1994, Marine Corps Base Hawaii assumed operational responsibility for Camp H.M. Smith.