Gen. Eric Smith attends a relinquishment of office ceremony in July 2023, about three months before suffering a heart attack. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)
WASHINGTON — Gen. Eric Smith, commandant of the Marine Corps, returned to full duty Tuesday after suffering a heart attack in October, the service announced.
“Gen. Smith and his family appreciate the full support of Congress, the leadership at the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, the Joint Force and all who extended them their well wishes during his recovery,” the Marine Corps said in a statement.
Smith suffered cardiac arrest on Oct. 29 near his home at the Marine Barracks in Washington and was hospitalized for 17 days. He underwent successful surgery on Jan. 8 to repair an aortic valve in his heart, which was the cause of his heart attack. The service said at the time of Smith’s surgery that he was in good condition and would return to full duty following rehabilitation.
The assistant commandant, Gen. Christopher Mahoney, has been serving as the acting commander of the Marine Corps since Smith’s hospitalization.
At the time of his heart attack, Smith had been performing the duties of commandant and assistant commandant because Mahoney’s nomination was held up by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.
Tuberville had blocked hundreds of military promotions and nominations for months due to his opposition to Pentagon policy paying for troops’ travel for abortions and other reproductive care. Under pressure from lawmakers, Tuberville ended his holds in December, allowing the Senate to confirm more than 435 nominations.
