Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith returned to work on Tuesday after a four-month leave of absence due to sudden cardiac arrest on Oct. 29, the Marine Corps announced in a statement.
Mr Smith underwent open-heart surgery on January 8 to repair the bicuspid aortic valve in his heart, which is believed to be the cause of his cardiac arrest and hospitalization in October. according to To the previous update from the Marine Corps regarding Smith’s status. Smith, who has now recovered, will officially take over as commander of the Marine Corps after taking the oath of office just a month before the medical emergency. Said In a press release.
“He resumed full duties and authority as commander on March 5, 2024,” the statement said. (Related: ‘You embarrassed us’: Republican Rep. Banks criticizes Deputy Secretary of State Austin for not noticing President Biden’s absence)
Gen. Christopher Mahoney has served as both acting commander and deputy commander since Nov. 3, but the statement said he has stepped down as acting commander and continues to serve as deputy commander.
“General Smith and his family appreciate the full support of Congress, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, the Joint Forces leadership, and all those who have prayed for his recovery,” the statement added. .
The statement did not say when he was discharged from the hospital or what rehabilitation efforts were undertaken upon his return home.
he’s back. @CMC_MarineCorps I am back to full duty today. He would like to thank Congress, the Department of Defense, and his DON leadership for supporting him over the past several months. Most importantly, he’s looking forward to reuniting with the Marines. pic.twitter.com/Pab9g9YNSl
— Joshua W. Larson (@jwlarson2) March 6, 2024
Smith went into cardiac arrest while jogging near his home in Washington, D.C., and was rushed to a hospital the next day in what the Marine Corps initially called a “medical emergency,” and a three-star general temporarily took over the role. I was to take on the role of Military officials later revealed that the just-confirmed commander had suffered a cardiac arrest.
At the time, Smith had served as acting commander and assistant commandant of the Marine Corps since his predecessor retired in July, and Mahoney had not yet been confirmed by the Senate for his nomination as assistant commandant. Ta.
Doctors said it was a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital abnormality that only exists in the aortic valve. have Two leaflets instead of three “directly contributed” to his cardiac arrest.Smith is released While waiting for surgery, he completed inpatient treatment on November 15th.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced a difficult time Thursday with his own medical emergencies, including his own cancer and complications after surgery that sent him back to the hospital on Jan. 1. He acknowledged that there were questions from Republican lawmakers about whether he was trying to cover up the situation. He could have better informed the public about his nearly five-day hospitalization, during which time the White House and Congress were largely kept in secrecy and committed to ensuring future transparency.
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