Marine Corps Commandant Undergoes Successful Heart Surgery

Gen. Eric Smith Expected to Return to Full Duty Following Rehabilitation

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith underwent successful open heart surgery on Monday to repair a bicuspid aortic valve in his heart, which was the cause of his cardiac arrest in October.
Smith is in good condition and continues to recover at the hospital among family members and his doctors. Following his rehabilitation, he will return to full duty status as Commandant.
Assistant Commandant Gen. Christopher Mahoney has been serving as the acting head of the Marine Corps since Smith’s hospitalization.
Smith's cardiac arrest occurred just two days after he discussed the stress of having to perform the top two high-level jobs for the service due to Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville's block on hundreds of military promotions and nominations for months.
Under pressure from lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle, Tuberville ended his holds in December, allowing the Senate to confirm more than 435 nominations.