Leo D. Hermle

Leo David "Dutch" Hermle (June 30, 1890 – January 21, 1976) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He was a recipient of Army and Navy second highest decorations, Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross, which he earned during his service in both World Wars.

World War I

Leo Hermle was born in 1890 in Hastings, Nebraska. He attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California, where he earned first a Bachelor of Arts degree and then the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence. He subsequently reported for active duty in the Marine Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant on August 15, 1917.

Hermle was assigned to the 74th Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marine Regiment, and sent to the France. His company was sent to the frontline in the Toulon Sector near Verdun in March 1918. A month later, the Germans used combat gas and Hermle was wounded by its effects. After recovery, Hermle was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and appointed a platoon leader in the 74th Company in the 1st Battalion. He participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and was decorated with the Silver Star for heroism in action near the town of Thiaucourt. He continued to command his platoon, and at the beginning of the October 1918, he led a successful assault up the hill at the Blanc Mont and was decorated with his second Silver Star.

During the ongoing Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Hermle commanded his platoon in action near the town of Saint Georges, where he showed great courage and initiative in maneuvering a large number of the enemy and capturing the town of Saint Georges together with 155 prisoners and seventeen machine guns. Although he was wounded, he remained in command for the next two days, until he was ordered to the infirmary in the rear area. For his actions, Hermle was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal on November 1, 1918. He was also made a ''Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur'' and decorated with the ''Croix de guerre 1914-1918 with palm'' and ''Fourragère'' by the Government of France.

Interwar period

Hermle stayed with the occupation forces in Germany until July 1919, when he was ordered back to the United States. Following his return, Hermle was assigned to the Marine barracks at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, where he was appointed an intelligence officer and legal aide to the commander of the Barracks. Because of his legal education, he was transferred to the office of Judge Advocate General of the Navy in Washington, D.C., in November 1921.

Hermle, now a captain, was transferred to the armored cruiser USS ''Seattle'' in June 1924. He was appointed commanding officer of the Marine detachment on the ''Seattle''.

Following his return home from duties at sea, Hermle attended the Company Officers course and Field Officers course at the Marine Corps Schools at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Upon graduation in June 1928, Hermle served as an instructor at that base.

In May 1930, Hermle was assigned to the Constabulary Detachment within the Garde d'Haïti and spent the next four years as assistant chief of staff of the Constabulary Detachment at Port-au-Prince. Later he also served as chief of the Inspector Department. When the United States occupation of Haiti ended, Hermle sailed home with the last Marine units in August 1934. For his service there, he was awarded with the Haitian Distinguished Service Medal with Diploma and Haitian Order of Merit in the Grade of Officer.

Upon his return to the United States, Hermle was assigned to the Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., and appointed assistant adjutant and inspector. After four years of service there, he was assigned as a student at the Army War College in Washington, D.C., in 1938.

World War II

After graduation from Advanced course at Army War College in June 1939, he was transferred to the 6th Marine Regiment stationed at Marine Corps Base in San Diego, where he became regimental executive officer. In this capacity, he was promoted to the rank of colonel on April 1, 1940, and appointed commanding officer of 8th Marine Regiment. A year later, in May 1941, Hermle was made a commanding officer of the 6th Marine Regiment.

The 6th Marines was subsequently sent to Iceland in June 1941 as a part of 1st Provisional Marine Brigade under the command Brigadier General John Marston. Hermle later also served additional duty as chief of staff of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. He stayed on Iceland until the end of March 1942, when the whole brigade was transferred back to the United States. For his service in this capacity, Colonel Hermle was decorated with Navy Commendation Medal.

When 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was disbanded, 6th Marine Regiment with Colonel Hermle in command was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division again under General John Marston's command. In August 1942, Marston chose Hermle as his Division's Chief of Staff.

Hermle sailed with 2nd Marine Division to the Pacific Theater in November 1942 and participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign. Hermle was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in September 1942 and was appointed assistant division commander of the 2nd Division under Major General Julian C. Smith's command.

During the initial part of the Tarawa Battle, Brigadier General Hermle was sent ashore by his commanding officer, Major General Smith, to collect information and took over tactical command. Hermle stayed in the landing zone in the lagoon awaiting further instructions. All communications failed and Hermle was unable to reach Colonel David M. Shoup's headquarters, where the defense was coordinated. He remained in the lagoon and supervised arrival of reserve troops and supplies, as well as evacuation of wounded under heavy enemy fire. He later planned and commanded the landing operations at Abemama. For his efforts during Tarawa and Abemama operations, Hermle was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V". He also received the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, when the President decorated 2nd Marine Division for its efforts at Tarawa