Leonard Fielding Chapman, Jr. (November 3, 1913 - January 6, 2000) was the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and served in that capacity from 1968 to 1972. He was World War II combat veteran — being decorated for his actions in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. He retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years of service. In retirement, he served as the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Chapman was born in...
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Leonard Fielding Chapman, Jr. (November 3, 1913 - January 6, 2000) was the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and served in that capacity from 1968 to 1972. He was World War II combat veteran — being decorated for his actions in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. He retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years of service. In retirement, he served as the Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Chapman was born in Key West, Florida, and graduated from high school in DeLand, Florida. In 1931, he entered the University of Florida where he became a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps unit for four years and was initiated into Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. Upon graduation in June 1935, he was commissioned as a Marine second lieutenant.
After completing The Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Chapman served with the 1st Battalion, 10th Marines at Quantico, Virginia, from April 1936 until August 1937. In June 1938, after completing Field...
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