LeRoy P. Hunt
LeRoy Philip Hunt | |
---|---|
Born | Newark, New Jersey | March 17, 1892
Died | February 8, 1968 San Francisco, California | (aged 75)
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1917 - 1951 |
Rank | General |
Commands | 5th Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic |
Battles / wars | World War I World War II *Battle of Guadalcanal *Battle of Okinawa |
Awards | Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Purple Heart Croix de Guerre French Fourragere |
General LeRoy Philip Hunt (March 17, 1892 – February 8, 1968) was a United States Marine Corps general, who served with distinction during World War I in France and later commanded the 2nd Marine Division at the end of World War II.
Biography
Hunt was born in 1892 in Newark, New Jersey,[1] and was a graduate of the University of California. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1917[1] and served with great distinction with the 5th Marines during World War I, receiving the Navy Cross and Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.[2]
Postwar assignments were varied, ranging from sea duty to commanding officer of the Western Mail Guard Detachment and work with the Work Projects Administration's Matanuska Colonization venture in Alaska.
Following a short tour in Iceland, he was given command of the 5th Marines which he led during the early stages of the Battle of Guadalcanal.[1] As the 2nd Marine Division's assistant division commander, he participated in mopping-up operations on Saipan and Tinian and in the Okinawa Campaign. Appointed division commander, he led the division in the occupation of Japan and for a period was Commanding General, I Army Corps. Returning to the United States, Hunt assumed duties as Commanding General, Department of Pacific and then Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic.[3]
General Hunt died in 1968 in San Francisco, California.[2]
Awards and decorations
1st Row | Navy Cross | Distinguished Service Cross | Silver Star w/ 2 oak leaf clusters | French Fourragère | |||||||||
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2nd Row | Legion of Merit w/ 1 oak leaf cluster | Bronze Star | Purple Heart w/ 1 oak leaf cluster | Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 service star | |||||||||
3rd Row | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal | World War I Victory Medal w/ Aisne, St. Mihiel, Aisne-Marne, Meuse-Argonne, & the Defensive Sector clasps | Army of Occupation of Germany Medal | Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933) | |||||||||
4th Row | Yangtze Service Medal | American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ 3 service stars | |||||||||
5th Row | World War II Victory Medal | Navy Occupation Service Medal | Croix de guerre (WWI) w/ 2 gilt stars & palm | Nicaraguan Medal of Distinction and Diploma |
See also
References
- General Leroy Philip Hunt, USMC, Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps.
External links
- 1892 births
- 1968 deaths
- Military personnel from Newark, New Jersey
- United States Marine Corps generals
- American Marine Corps personnel of World War I
- American military personnel of World War I
- American military personnel of World War II
- United States Marine Corps World War II generals
- Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- Recipients of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)