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.

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.

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. Leo D. Hermle, Alexander Vandegrift, and Julian C. Smith look at a Newsmap while the 2nd Marine Division was stationed in New Zealand during World War II. 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. Following his retirement from the military, Hermle served as professor of law at University of San Diego. He also served as state recreation commissioner for 11 years. He retired again in 1973.

Hermle died on January 21, 1976, in La Jolla near San Diego, California. He is buried together with his wife at El Camino Memorial Park.

Decorations

Navy Cross citation Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Brigadier General Leo D. Hermle (MCSN: 0-420), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Assistant Commanding General of the FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 26 March 1945. Landing early on the afternoon of 19 February, under a heavy concentration of enemy fire, Brigadier General Hermle established an Advanced Division Command Post. When communication with the assault combat teams was extremely difficult and vital information was needed to coordinate a resumption of the attack for the establishment of an initial beachhead, he courageously crossed one hundred and fifty yards of open area of Motoyama Airfield Number One, while it was being swept by enemy fire to visit the front line units and obtained the necessary first-hand information needed. When the enemy took last-stand defensive positions consisting of steel-doored caves and concrete emplacements in the cliffs of a gorge in the northern part of the Island, he skillfully directed a coordinated attack which resulted in heavy losses to the enemy. Brigadier General Hermle's gallant spirit, initiative and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Distinguished Service Cross citation Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant Leo D. Hermle (MCSN: 0-420), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism while serving with the Sixth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near the Meuse River, France, 1 November 1918. When the company on his left was checked by heavy machine-gun fire, Lieutenant Hermle led a platoon forward and surrounded a large number of the enemy, capturing 155 prisoners and 17 machine guns. Pushing on, he took the town of St. Georges and many machine-gun positions. Although he was painfully wounded he refused to be evacuated, and remained with his men for two days until he was ordered to the rear.