Leonard Baker Cresswell (July 18, 1901 – April 25, 1966) was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general.

Cresswell later served as commanding general of Troop Training Unit, Atlantic Fleet and completed his career as Director of the Staff of the Inter-American Defense Board.

He then served as an instructor at the Basic School at Philadelphia Navy Yard until May 1939, when he was appointed commanding officer of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Maryland.

[1] At the beginning of July 1941, Cresswell was promoted to the rank of major and transferred to the staff of 1st Marine Division as adjutant to commanding general, Philip H. Torrey.

The 1st Marine Division deployed to South Pacific in June 1942 and remained on New Zealand for few weeks, before moved to Koro Island, Fiji to rehearse for Guadalcanal Operation.

Although dense jungle and difficult terrain made it impossible for the tanks assigned to his command to effect a crossing of the river, Lieutenant Colonel Cresswell advanced with his battalion to the other side of the Tenaru and, by the skillful disposal of his men over a large area, attacked the rear of enemy's regiment, succeeded in annihilating the Japanese force between the Ilu and the Tenaru Rivers with a minimum loss to his unit.

His old superior, Clifton B. Cates, who was meanwhile promoted to the rank of brigadier general and now served as commandant of the Marine Corps Schools Quantico, requested for Cresswell to be attached to his staff.

[1] Cresswell was detached from 2nd Marine Division in June 1952 and ordered to Naval Station Norfolk for duty as commanding general of Troop Training Unit, Atlantic Fleet.

Major General Leonard B. Cresswell died on April 25, 1966, in Annapolis, Maryland, and was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia.

His brilliant leadership and fine tactical judgment were decisive factors in the accomplishment of a vital mission and reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Colonel Cresswell and the United States Naval Service.