Both the Japanese and the American's had more than one Leader during the time of war. The U.S. key leaders involved
Simon B. Buckner- He was a General during WWII and was promoted to command Tenth Army during 'Operation Iceberg'. He organized the tenth army which consisted of both Army and Marine units. Buckner was killed June 18, 1945 by one of the few remaining Japanese artillery units on the final days of the battle.
Roy Geiger- Geiger took command of the tenth Army in place of Buckner.
Chester Nimitz- Commander and chief of the pacific fleet for the U.S.
The Japanese Leaders included
General Mitsuru Ushijima- He was the Japanese Army Commander during the invasion. He was in charge of all forces on the southern half and lead a skillful defense against the U.S. He had two more commanders in charge of opposite ends of the island and two different views on war. On one end he had General Isamu Cho and on the other he had officer Colonel Hiromichi Yahara.
General Isamu Cho- He was the chief of staff, lived by the code of samurai.
Colonel Hiromichi Yahara- He was the man to form the defense. His stragities was to wear down the U.S. to save their land.