Leo D. Hermle

Leo David "Dutch" Hermle was an officer in the United States Marine Corps in both World War I and World War II rising to the rank of Lieutenant General.

Career
Leo Hermle was born in 1890 in Hastings, Nebraska. He graduated from the University of California in 1917 and enlisted in the Marine Corps.

He served as a First Lieutenant with the 6th Marines in the American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I. He was awarded the Silver Star for action at Thiaucourt on September 12–26, 1918, for action at St. Etienne on October 2–9, 1918, and for action at St. Georges on October 14–18, 1918. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for action on the Meuse River on November 1, 1918. He also received the French Legion of Honor.

During World War II Colonel Hermle commanded the 6th Marines in Iceland. He became Chief of Staff of the 2nd Marines and transferred to the Pacific Theater in 1942. He was promoted to Brigadier General and made Assistant Division Commander of the 2nd Marines and participated in the attack on Tarawa. He later became Assistant Division Commander of the 5th Marines and participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima, for which he was awarded the Navy Cross. He retired in 1949 with the rank of Lieutenant General.

Leo Hermle died in San Diego, California on January 1, 1976.