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 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.

[2] 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.

Upon his return to the United States, Hermle was assigned to the Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., and appointed assistant adjutant and inspector.

He remained in the lagoon and supervised arrival of reserve troops and supplies, as well as evacuation of wounded under heavy enemy fire.

[3] In January 1944, Hermle was transferred to the staff of the V Amphibious Corps under command of Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith, where he served as administrative deputy.

After a few months of additional training at Camp Tarawa, Hawaii, 5th Marine Division left for Iwo Jima in January 1945.

When his unit was pinned down by the enemy fire, he wasn't hesitant to go directly to the frontline foxholes to obtain first-hand information.

[3] For his leadership of the 5th Marine Division's troops during the Battle of Iwo Jima and its capture, General Hermle was decorated with the Navy Cross.

Hermle was appointed island commander in February 1946 and served in this capacity until July 1946, when he was ordered back to the United States.

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.

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.

[3]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.