Yangtze PatrolNicaraguan CampaignWorld War II LeRoy Philip Hunt (March 17, 1892 – February 8, 1968) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of general.

[1][2] Briefly before the United States entry into World War I, Hunt entered the Marine Corps service and was commissioned second lieutenant on March 16, 1917.

Hunt led his company during the Battle of Soissons in July 1918 and was tasked with the capture of Translor Farm southwest of the town of Chaudun.

[7] During the advance on Chaudun under heavy machine gun fire, Hunt found a scattered remnants of Moroccan Colonial Infantry and attached them to his company.

During the advance toward the Essen trench, Hunt distinguished himself during the capturing of the village of Somme-Py and received his second Silver Star for the leadership of his company.

[8] The reconnaissance found German positions in the area of Bois de Vipere and general Lejeune scheduled the attack for morning of October 3 and Hunt and his company was holding the left flank of 5th Marine Regiment at the time.

[8] During the crossing of Meuse river and subsequent attack on the Argonne Forest, Hunt assumed temporary command of 1st Battalion and distinguished himself during the combats near the town of Létanne on November 10–11, 1918.

Hunt embarked for United States and following the arrival on August 8, he took part in the Victory parades in New York City and Washington, D.C. being reviewed by President Woodrow Wilson, Commandant George Barnett or Major General John Lejeune.

He was detached from the battalion at the end of August 1919 and ordered to Portland, Oregon, where he served in the local Marine recruiting office until February 1920.

[1][4][2] He assumed command of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Maryland in June 1923 and took part in the patrol cruises to the Panama Canal Zone, Australia and New Zealand.

Hunt was ordered to the Marine Barracks, San Diego, California in July 1926 and also acted as commanding officer of the Western Mail Guard Detachment during the wave of robberies.

[1] Following his return stateside, Hunt was ordered to the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, and served as post adjutant under Major General Wendell C. Neville.

By the way, the barracks served as the official residence of the commandant of the Marine Corps, John H. Russell Jr.[5] Hunt was detached in June 1938 and ordered to the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, for the Senior Course, which he completed in May 1939.

While in this capacity, Hunt served aboard the battleship USS California during the Fleet Problem XX, which tested the defense of the Panama Canal with an elaborate three-week simulated battle in the South Atlantic and Caribbean beginning in February 1939.

[1][2][10] In February 1941, Hunt was transferred to the newly activated 2nd Marine Division under Major General Clayton B. Vogel and served as commanding officer of the Divisional Special and Service Troops for few months.

General Vandegrift subsequently made several personnel changes on his own, including Hunt, who was replaced by Colonel William C. James in April 1942.

[3] Hunt now had the opportunity to command his World War I regiment and spent next month with intensive training in order to prepare his unit for combat deployment to South Pacific.

During his time in Wellington, Hunt got into another conflict, when divisional logistics officer, Randolph M. Pate complained to Vandegrift about the handling of the equipment and palletized cargo.

Faulty communications made the tactical situation even worse than it was and an enraged General Alexander A. Vandegrift decided to relieve Hunt.

[12][3][2] Hunt returned to the United States and spent several months at Naval Hospital, San Diego, due to the infection of Malaria.

Following his full recovery in April 1943, his career was restored, when he was ordered to Hawaii, where he succeeded Harry K. Pickett as commanding general, Marine Garrison Forces, 14th Naval District.

While in this capacity, Hunt was responsible for administration of Marine barracks and detachments securing Pacific Naval Bases, stations and installations on Hawaii, Midway, Johnston Atoll and Palmyra Island.

[22] Here is the ribbon bar of General Hunt:[8] Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Captain LeRoy Philip Hunt (MCSN: 0–460), United States Marine Corps, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F.

After six hours of severe fighting, Captain Hunt and his men succeeded in reducing a large sector of trenches and machine-gun nests, and captured 300 prisoners.

[8]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 Captain LeRoy Philip Hunt (MCSN: 0–460), United States Marine Corps, for repeated acts of extraordinary heroism while serving with the Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, A.E.F., in action near St. Etienne, France, October 3 – 4, 1918.

After six hours of severe fighting, Captain Hunt and his men succeeded in reducing a large sector of trenches and machine-gun nests, and captured 300 prisoners.