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LeRoy P. Hunt

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LeRoy Philip Hunt
General LeRoy P. Hunt
Born(1892-03-17)March 17, 1892
Newark, New Jersey
DiedFebruary 8, 1968(1968-02-08) (aged 75)
San Francisco, California
AllegianceUnited States United States of America
Service / branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1917 - 1951
Rank General
Commands5th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic
Battles / warsWorld War I
World War II
*Battle of Guadalcanal
*Battle of Okinawa
AwardsNavy 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

  
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Gold star
Gold star
1st Row Navy Cross Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star w/ 2 oak leaf clusters French Fourragère
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

  1. ^ a b c Budge, Kent G. "The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: Hunt, LeRoy P."
  2. ^ a b "Gen LeRoy Philip Hunt (1892 - 1968) - Find A Grave Memorial".
  3. ^ "Securing the Surrender: Marines in the Occupation of Japan (Introduction)".