Gen. Eric Smith, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps, underwent open-heart surgery Monday to repair a valve in his heart, the Marine Corps announced.
Smith was confirmed as the new commander on September 21, but was initially hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest near his home at the Marine Corps Barracks in Washington on October 29.
“He is in good health and his family and doctors continue to recover in the hospital,” the military said in a statement. “Following rehabilitation, General Smith plans to return to full duty as commander.”
Smith's surgery came after news that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last week due to complications following a recent elective medical procedure, which lasted for several days. It was not open to the public. Austin then resumed his full duties.
Top Marine Corps commander hospitalized due to heart attack
Gen. Eric Smith, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps, underwent open-heart surgery Monday to repair the bicuspid aortic valve in his heart. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shannon Dougherty)
The surgery successfully repaired the patient's bicuspid aortic valve, which caused the patient's cardiac arrest.
Adm. Christopher Mahoney, the deputy commanding general, is acting as chief of the Marine Corps while Smith is hospitalized.
The force said Smith underwent successful surgery to repair the bicuspid aortic valve in his heart that caused his cardiac arrest. (Photo credit: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
A statement from the Marine Corps said Smith will undergo rehabilitation and return to full command duties.
Kat Cammack warns about Lloyd Austin's secret hospitalization: 'He is unfit for public office'
The Pentagon said Austin's hospitalization was initially not made public due to medical and personal privacy concerns. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks took her place during her scheduled leave of absence.
Several lawmakers, including Democrats and Republicans, are seeking additional information about the medical procedure and why various government offices were not immediately notified of his absence.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin remains hospitalized a week after suffering server pain after an elective procedure, the Pentagon announced Monday. (Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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Republican presidential candidates have also weighed in on the controversy, with Nikki Haley suggesting President Biden should be held accountable.
FOX News' Sarah Rumpf-Witten and Liz Frieden contributed to this report.
