Leonard F . Chapman , Jr . 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 . Early life . 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 Naval 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 second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps . Military career . 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 Artillery School at Fort Sill , Oklahoma , he was assigned to the 10th Marines at Marine Corps Base , San Diego , California . He was promoted to first lieutenant in September 1938 . In June 1940 , Chapman departed San Diego for Honolulu . There he completed Gunnery School aboard USS " New Orleans " before reporting to USS " Astoria " in July 1940 for a two - year assignment as Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment . He was promoted to captain in April 1941 . On board " Astoria " following the outbreak of World War II , Chapman took part in the early Pacific raids culminating in the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway , and earned the Navy Commendation Ribbon with Combat “ V . ” He was promoted to major in May 1942 and returned to the United States in June . Chapman was assigned to Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , in August 1942 as an instructor in the Artillery Course . He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in May 1943 , and that October was named Executive Officer of the Artillery Section at Marine Corps Schools . In June 1944 , Chapman again departed for combat duty , joining the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific area . He earned the Legion of Merit with Combat “ V ” for meritorious service as Operations Officer , 11th Marines , and Commanding Officer , 4th Battalion , 11th Marines , during combat at Peleliu in September and October 1944 ; and the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “ V ” as 4th Battalion Commander at Okinawa , April to July 1945 . Following the war , when he returned to the continental United States , Chapman served as Secretary of the General Staff , Fleet Marine Force ( FMF ) Pacific from September 1945 to July 1946 . From August 1946 until May 1949 , he was stationed at Headquarters Marine Corps ( HQMC ) , Washington , D . C . , serving as Executive Officer , G - 3 Section , Division of Plans and Policies . Ordered to Marine Corps Schools , Quantico , Chapman served as Coordinator , Reserve Artillery Training Unit ; completed the Amphibious Warfare School , Senior Course , in June 1950 ; and then served as Chief of the Supporting Arms Group , Marine Corps Development Center . While at Quantico , he was promoted to colonel in July 1950 . In July 1952 , Chapman departed Quantico for Camp Pendleton , California , where he joined the 3rd Marine Division as Commanding Officer , 12th Marines . He sailed with the division in August 1953 for Japan , where he continued to command the 12th Marines . In August 1954 , he was named Commanding Officer , Marine Barracks , U . S . Fleet Activities , Yokosuka , Japan , serving in this capacity until May 1956 . In July 1956 , Chapman assumed duties in Washington , D . C . , as Commanding Officer , Marine Barracks , and Director of the Marine Corps Institute . Two years later , he was promoted to brigadier general on July 1 , 1958 . Following his promotion , Chapman was assigned to Camp Lejeune , North Carolina serving as Commanding General , Force Troops , FMF Atlantic , until August 1961 . He reported to HQMC in September 1961 for duty as Assistant Chief of Staff , G - 4 and was promoted to major general in November 1961 . For exceptionally meritorious service in this capacity from September 1961 through December 1963 , he was awarded his second Legion of Merit . On January 1 , 1964 , Chapman was designated as Chief of Staff , with the rank of lieutenant general . He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the Secretary of the Navy . On July 1 , 1967 , Chapman became Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps . While serving as Assistant Commandant , he was awarded the Armed Forces Management Association Merit Award for 1967 . On December 4 , 1967 , Chapman was nominated by President Lyndon B . Johnson to be the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 13 , 1967 . On January 1 , 1968 , he was promoted to general on assuming the office of Commandant . During his first year in office , General Chapman traveled widely , covering nearly 100 , 000 miles while visiting Marines stationed around the world . The heavy commitment to Vietnam took him to that country twice in 1968 . In January 1969 , President Pak Chong - Hui of the Republic of Korea presented General Chapman the Order of National Security Merit , First Class . Later that month , General Chapman earned a Gold Star in lieu of a second award of the Distinguished Service Medal . By the end of his tenure , General Chapman witnessed the III Marine Amphibious Force withdrawal from Vietnam and the strength of the Corps drop from a peak of 289 , 000 to 198 , 000 . Anticipating an austere budget and fewer Marines , he had earlier made his move for a " hard , lean , fully combat - ready Corps , " reduced in size , but not in professionalism . Before his retirement , President Nixon presented Gen Chapman a third award of the Distinguished Service Medal , December 10 , 1971 . General Chapman retired January 1 , 1972 and became Commissioner of the Immigration and Naturalization Service . General Chapman died on January 6 , 2000 at age 86 from complications resulting from cancer . He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors on January 14 , 2000 . He was eulogized by former Commandant Carl Mundy , a friend , fraternity brother , and protégé . Awards and decorations . Chapman ' s awards include :