U.S. Marine Capt. Benjamin M. Middendorf, the former

U.S. Marine Capt. Benjamin M. Middendorf, the former commander of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, pauses a patrol to check their position during helicopter-borne operations here, May 27, 2012. Middendorf, a native of Rochester, Minn., was selected by Gen. James F. Amos, the commandant of the Marine Corps, to receive the 2012 Lt. Col. William G. Leftwich Jr. Trophy for Outstanding Leadership. Leftwich, a Navy Cross recipient, died in 1970 when his helicopter crashed in Vietnam, where he was commanding the Marines and sailors of 1st Reconnaissance Bn. Middendorf is currently the commander of Headquarters and Service Co., 5th Marines.