Chesty Puller – Wikipedia

Lewis Burwell “ Chesty “ Puller ( June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971 ) served as a United States Marine Corps officeholder. Beginning his career fighting guerillas in Haiti and Nicaragua as separate of the Banana Wars, he late served with eminence in World War II and the Korean War as a elder officer. By the meter of his retirement in 1955, he had reached the rank of lieutenant general. Puller is the most dress Marine in American history. He was awarded 5 Navy Crosses and one Distinguished Service Cross. With 6 crosses, Puller is second behind Eddie Rickenbacker for citations of the nation ‘s second-highest military award for heroism. [ 1 ] Puller retired from the Marine Corps in 1955, after 37 years of service. He lived in Virginia and died in 1971 at age 73.

early life [edit ]

Puller was born in West Point, Virginia, to Matthew and Martha Puller. Puller was of English ancestry ; his ancestors who came to America emigrated to the colony of Virginia from Bedfordshire, England in 1621. [ 2 ] His church father was a grocer who died when Puller was 10 years old. puller grew up listening to old veterans ‘ tales of the American Civil War and idolizing Thomas “ Stonewall ” Jackson. He wanted to enlist in the United States Army to fight in the Border War with Mexico in 1916, but he was besides new and could not get parental consent from his mother. [ 3 ] The take after class, Puller attended the Virginia Military Institute but left in August 1918 as World War I was still ongoing, saying that he wanted to “ go where the guns are ! ” [ 4 ] Inspired by the fifth Marines at Belleau Wood, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a private and attended boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. [ 3 ] Although he never saw military action in that war, the Marine Corps was expanding, and soon after graduating he attended its non-commissioned officeholder school and Officer Candidates School ( OCS ) at Quantico, Virginia. Graduating from OCS on June 16, 1919, Puller was appointed second gear deputy in the reserves, but the decrease in military unit from 73,000 to 1,100 officers and 27,400 men [ 5 ] following the war led to his being put on inactive condition 10 days later and given the rank of bodied. [ 3 ]

Interwar years [edit ]

First Lieutenant Lewis “ Chesty ” Puller ( center left ) and Sergeant William “ Ironman ” Lee ( center good ) and two nicaraguan soldiers in 1931

United States occupation of Haiti [edit ]

Corporal Puller received orders to serve in the Gendarmerie d’Haiti as a lieutenant, seeing military action in Haiti. [ 6 ] While the United States was working under a treaty with Haiti, he participated in over forty engagements during the ensuing five years against the Caco rebels and attempted to regain his commission as an officer twice. In 1922, he served as an adjutant to Major Alexander Vandegrift, a future Commandant of the Marine Corps .

provide Run [edit ]

Puller received orders to deliver supplies to Mirebalais and Lascahobas. These two humble towns were located in a region where there was a significant presence of Caco guerrillas under the command of Benoît Batraville who was a senior high school ranking insurgent leader. Puller ‘s supply party consisted of twenty-five wax haitian Gendarmes along with the throng animals. Puller kept his coerce moving quickly to avoid risking an ambush or night attack by the Caco. late on, the little force of Gendarmes led by Puller run in to an evenly surprise column of about one hundred Cacos coming from the opposite direction around a deflect in the road. Puller ordered a commit and spurred his knight forward to attack the Cacos. The Gendarmes charged beside him and scattered the Cacos, who used guerrilla tactics and consequently rarely stood their ground if attacked by a significant effect. The Cacos fired a handful of shots at the onrushing American-led Gendarmes and then dispersed to make pastime more unmanageable. With the charge of the clique mules, Puller could not pursue the evasive Cacos. After the clash ended, one dead Caco bandit was found. This skirmish was Puller ‘s first employment in the occupation and showed his adeptness at aggressive carry through and effective leadership from the front. Puller and his impel of Gendarmes reached Mirebalais and delivered the supplies needed by the town. The future day, Puller made a 34-hour round stumble to Lascahobas to deliver the final supplies and then returned to Port-au-Prince completing his supply run. [ 7 ]

Ambushing the Cacos [edit ]

Puller was assigned a new duty to begin offensive operations against the Cacos. Puller inherited a force out of one hundred Gendarmes who were supported unofficially by about the same number of female camp followers. Puller ‘s put head adjunct was acting Second Lieutenant Augustin B. Brunot, a Haitain who was eloquent in English. early pro-american Haitians added to Puller ‘s wedge were newly commissioned lieutenants Lyautey and Brunot, and a haitian private named Jean Louis Cermontout, who Puller recruited with the promise of promotion after seeing him return from a successful patrol with the sever heads of two Cacos bandits. Brunot and Lyautey advised Puller on how to combat the Cacos insurgents. They advised him that day patrols had little opportunity of encountering the Cacos, as they hid during the sidereal day, entirely emerging from hiding to ambush government patrols if they had superior numbers. gamble encounters such as Puller ‘s supply ply were rare because the Cacos knew the terrain and had beneficial news of police activities. They advised him that the Cacos encamped at night and that nox patrols would have a better chance of surprising them. When Puller and his unit of measurement, following this advice, patrolled along a ridge-top trail one night, he observed campfires and listen drums nearby. Puller with Lyautey and some Gendarmes went to scout, while Brunot remained with the remainder of the Gendarmes. The noise turned out to be a celebration at a Cacos guerrilla camping. After returning, Puller came up with a plan to ambush the Cacos at dawn. puller placed the chief torso of men in a trace facing the bandit camp and sent the smaller crowd with three Lewis machine guns to the flank in a position where they covered the enemy rear, setting an l-shaped ambush. After Puller ‘s force of Gendarmes got into position, Puller executed the ambush. As Puller had predicted, when the main body of men opened open fire at first base light, the storm Cacos bandits fled from the source of immediate danger into the fields of fire of the machine artillery, where all seventeen were killed. Dozens of machetes and a bombastic flock of gamecocks were found. Puller and his Gendarmes celebrated their victory and feasted on abandoned supplies while using the game cocks for cockfighting. Puller late participated in more patrols as he gained experience and learned the peculiarities of small wars. [ 8 ] [ 9 ]

further operations against the Cacos, October–November 1919 [edit ]

Puller would conduct more nauseating operations to suppress the Cacos. On October 28, 1919, Puller went on a patrol with Brunot and a interracial force of fifteen american Marines and Gendarmes. They would stay extinct ten days, at which time another group would relieve them. The unit, using night movements, made contact on October 31 with a small band, killing two of the enemy and capturing four rifles, several machetes, and some swords. On November 1, they arrested three suspected bandits. [ 10 ]

Infiltrating and raiding a Cacos camp, November 4, 1919 [edit ]

On the good afternoon of November 4, 1919, Puller and his men entered a small village of grass shacks ten miles west of Mirebalais. A priest told Brunot that a high rate Cacos insurgent leader named Dominique Georges had a camp about fifteen miles away. He and his men decided to take this opportunity to kill or capture Dominique Georges. Despite heavy rain, Puller took a little patrol of Marines and Gendarmes out immediately. Puller, Brunot, and Private Cermontout Jean Louis scouted out ahead of the small column during the night when they came upon the remains of a bonfire, indicating a bandit defend mail. A Cacos lookout armed with a plunder challenged Puller ‘s group. The lookout could not see them intelligibly as it was very night and his bonfire had been put out by the rain. Brunot replied in his Haitain accent “ Cacos ”, at which the guard let them through. Puller, Brunot, and Jean Louis were able to infiltrate the Cacos camp and came upon a clear with many huts and lean-tos. Puller and Jean Louis took firing positions on the land after Puller sent Brunot to gather the lie of the patrol to assault the camp. Puller aimed his rifle at a man he belated believed was Georges, but waited for the main attack alternatively of firing. A Caco challenged the two prone figures, so that Puller had to shoot the Caco, starting the struggle. The marines and gendarmes rushed forward, but the estimated two hundred Cacos scattered, with Puller and Jean Louis displace ampere fast as they could at fleeing figures. After the government forces had possession of the camp, they found one dead Caco. Puller ‘s patrol took twenty dollar bill seven rifles, swords, and machetes, and several twelve gamecocks. Among the loot was George ‘s personal rifle, identified by his initials in the stock. Puller and his patrol spent the nox at the camp and then withdrew safely to their base at Mirebalais. [ 8 ] [ 9 ]

Patrol and Raid, November 9, 1919 [edit ]

On November 9, Puller and Brunot led a patrol of thirty-three Gendarmes. Just before click they found a camp and attacked it. This time Puller and his boyfriend Gendarmes killed ten Cacos and captured two rifles. After the raid of the Cacos camp, they safely withdrew to Mirebalais by a devious route and fell into garrison act for a few days. [ 11 ]

further patrol operations [edit ]

After the successful assassination of Charlemagne Péralte by Herman H. Hanneken in a foray into, Benoît Batraville became the adjacent drawing card of the Cacos. Puller and Brunot each took a part of the company out on a patrol. Brunot spotted a Caco pull that turned out to be Batraville ‘s, but before Brunot could get his force into position for an attack, the Cacos broke camp and melted away. Puller had better fortune, with two Cacos killed and sixteen captured. [ 12 ]

conclusion of the fight in Haiti [edit ]

The Cacos rebellion collapsed raw when a Marine patrol killed Batraville on May 19, 1920. A month subsequently, the death significant Caco leader surrendered. More patrols by the Gendarmes and American Marines in the play along year killed a promote eighty-five Cacos. Later on in September 1920, Herman H. Hanneken penetrated a Caco camp in disguise, arresting five chiefs while killing another. By June 1921, a government military commander declared the area to be “ completely placid. ” [ 13 ]

reelect to the United States [edit ]

Puller returned stateside and was ultimately recommissioned as a second deputy on March 6, 1924 ( Service No. 03158 ). After completing assignments at the Marine barracks in Norfolk, Virginia, The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, and with the tenth Marine Artillery Regiment in Quantico, Virginia, he was assigned to the Marine barracks at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in July 1926 and in San Diego, California, in 1928 .
puller with members of the Guardia Nacional

United States occupation of Nicaragua [edit ]

In December 1928, Puller was assigned to the nicaraguan National Guard detachment, where he was awarded his first base Navy Cross for his actions from February 16 to August 19, 1930, when he led “ five consecutive engagements against superior numbers of armed bandit forces. ” He returned stateside in July 1931 and completed the year-long Company Officers Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, thereafter returning to Nicaragua from September 20 to October 1, 1932, and was awarded a irregular Navy Cross. Puller led american Marines and Nicaraguan National Guardsmen into battle against Sandinista rebels in the final major betrothal of the Sandino Rebellion near El Sauce on December 26, 1932 .

Patrolling, June 4–6, 1930 [edit ]

After Puller inherited command of nicaraguan Guardia Nacional called Company M. He was prepared to conduct operations against the Sandinista rebels. Puller immediately departed on a patrol. Puller moved eastbound for a five-day sweep, but soon received orders to head northeast. The patrol moved by sidereal day and camped each night in a greenwich village. In the good afternoon of June 4, the company was at San Antonio cooking a bullock in homework for a trek into the uninhabited area around Mt. Kilande. After hearing some gunshots to the north, Puller sent thirteen men of the Guardia to investigate a thousand yards beyond the township. The Guardia encountered six rebels who may have been Sandinistas and a firefight occurred. The Guardia killed one rebel while the other five fled. The rebel bandit was armed with a Springfield rifle and Colt revolving door. On June 6, the patrol moved toward the village of Los Cedros when it encountered an equally surprised pull of Sandinistas who were on top of a brush covered mound that sloped about 175 yards down to the trail. The Sandinistas opened arouse on the patrol and the patrol returned fire. Without reluctance, Puller dashed up the rise while yelling for his men to charge. Puller ‘s men joined in the attack and fired their weapons while charging the enemy put. puller and his Guardia were able to avoid being hit by little arms fire and crude improvise grenades thrown by the rebels. The rebels were routed and fled. Puller and his men realized they stumbled onto an guerrilla camp. Seven dead rebel bodies were found and Puller ‘s push suffered no casualties. Puller ‘s patrol found two rifles, one pistol, and ten machetes. They besides found rosters and papers in the rebel clique, which revealed that two of the seven dead rebels were leaders of the group. After that, Puller ‘s party returned to Jinotega. [ 14 ]

far operations, June 12-July 12, 1930 [edit ]

Puller departed on a newly patrol on the June 12. Puller ‘s patrol searched unproductively and found nothing. Puller and his men arrived back at their base at June 20. At June 24, Puller, William “ Ironman ” Lee, and their men joined forces with another government patrol of thirty men under the command of Lieutenant M.K. Chenoweth. together the combined American-Nicaraguan pull left Jinotega. At Santa Fe, Puller picked up an extra fifteen Guardias. After patrolling, Puller ‘s men had encountered lone bandits on two occasions and killed them both. Puller ‘s bombastic group operated for about two more weeks, frequently split into two patrols with one following the other at a distance. last, the built unit last returned to base on July 12. [ 15 ]

undertake ambush against the rebels, far avocation, and raiding a maverick camp, November 6–27, 1930 [edit ]

puller and his Company M went out on a patrol again on November 6, 1930. Puller, Lee, and twenty-one men left Jinetoga to search for the enemy. The patrol picked up a chase of about thirty bandits who were pillaging little ranches near Santa Isabel. Puller ‘s patrol caught sight of the enemy at 9:00 A.M. on November 19 pursuing them for three miles, and wounding at least one of them. Puller ‘s patrol decided to surprise the bandits. The patrol set up an ambush hiding themselves along a drag when a director of a local finca spotted them and walked up to them to provide them information on a rebel band. With the ambush compromised by the finca coach, the patrol moved on. Puller ‘s patrol reported into Corinto Finca on November 20 for supplies and backpack animals, then left on the same day to check out a report of a maverick assiduity near Mt. Guapinol. Puller and his patrol struggled through heavy rains, dirty trails, and flooded rivers. On the dawn of 25 November, the patrol came across a bandit lead. The Guardia under Puller followed this trail and at 10:30 A.M., the sharpen sighted about ten-spot rebels amongst some fallen trees. Puller ‘s men opened open fire and the foe fled. Further along the trail, the pursuers came upon the rebel camp which had four buildings with log barricades in front man and a hundred-foot cliff in the rear. There were at least forty or so rebels who fought concisely. then the rebels threw their belongings and three wounded men into the ravine and then clambered down on ropes and ladders, which they pulled down after themselves. By the time some of the Guardia worked their way down into the draw the enemy had disappeared. Puller ‘s patrol found two dead bandits and some supplies. Puller was certain that the three wounded bandits who had gone over the cliff had died. Puller ‘s impel captured documents which showed that one of their previous operations on August 19, 1930, wounded a minor chief of the rebels. After raiding this insurgent camp, Puller ‘s unit remove and returned to Jinotega on November 27 after three weeks of hard patrol. [ 16 ]

Patrol and Raid against the rebels September 20–26, 1932 [edit ]

Puller discovered a trail which seemed to be used by rebels. Puller, along with Lee, gathered 40 Guardia Nacional members for a raid like patrol against the rebels. Puller, Lee, and the Guardia left on September 20. After traveling a long distance, the patrol came by the northwest from the bank of Auyabal river. On September 26, Puller ‘s patrol was ambushed by the rebels. Lee used a Lewis machine grease-gun to keep the enemy pinned down while the Guardia Nacional worked their way up the slope opposite the maverick ambush party. When they gained the crest, they were able to fire immediately into the rebel emplacements. Puller ‘s men penetrated the center of a maverick camping, killing at least 16 rebels. Of Puller ‘s military unit, two men were killed and four wounded. In order to obtain medical caution for the hurt, Puller immediately withdrew second to Jinotega. During Puller ‘s withdrawal, his patrol was ambushed twice, but suffered no more casualties and fought off the ambushers. Puller ‘s Guardia killed at least eight more rebels. Puller ‘s impel arrived back at Jinotega on September 30 after their raid on the insurgent campsite. [ 17 ]

concluding battle in Nicaragua 26 December 1932 [edit ]

There were rumors that Sandinista rebels were planning an assail on a ceremony that was going to commemorate the completion of the León – El Sauce railroad track. An dispatch of eight American marines and 64 nicaraguan National Guardsmen led by Puller were sent to El Sauce on the 26 December 1932. As Puller ‘s coerce of american marines and nicaraguan national guard were traveling some distance in their train to their address, they were ambushed by the rebels from both sides of the tracks. Puller and William A. Lee cursorily with their troops immediately engaged the maverick ambushers. After a firefight of one hour and ten minutes, the Marines and Guardia Nacional were able to drive off the rebels. Puller ‘s victorious force had suffered three dead and three wounded for the Guardia Nacional. The rebels suffered thirty one killed and lost 63 live horses to capture by Puller ‘s military unit. The ceremony went on as planned two days by and by, while Puller and Lee got promoted .

consequence [edit ]

After his serve in Nicaragua, Puller was assigned to the Marine withdrawal at the american Legation in Beijing, China, commanding a unit of China Marines. He then went on to serve aboard USS Augusta, a cabin cruiser in the Asiatic Fleet, which was commanded by then-Captain Chester W. Nimitz. Puller returned to the States in June 1936 as an teacher at The Basic School in Philadelphia, where he trained Ben Robertshaw, Pappy Boyington, and Lew Walt. [ 18 ] In May 1939, he returned to the Augusta as commanding officer of the on-board Marine detachment, and then back to China, disembarking in Shanghai in May 1940 to serve as the executive officeholder and commanding policeman of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines ( 2/4 ) until August 1941. Major Puller returned to the U.S. on August 28, 1941. After a light impart, he was given command of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines ( 1/7 ) of the 1st Marine Division, stationed at New River, North Carolina ( late Camp Lejeune ). [ 19 ]

World War II [edit ]

lieutenant Colonel Puller on Guadalcanal in September, 1942 early in the Pacific theater, the 7th Marines formed the core of the newly created 3rd Marine Brigade and arrived to defend Samoa on May 8, 1942. Later they were redeployed from the brigade and on September 4, 1942, they left Samoa and rejoined the 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal on September 18, 1942.

soon after arriving on Guadalcanal, Lt. Col. Puller led his battalion in a fierce action along the Matanikau, in which Puller ‘s quick thinking saved three of his companies from annihilation. In the action, these companies were surrounded and cut off by a larger japanese storm. Puller ran to the prop up, signaled a United States Navy destroyer, the USS Ballard ( DD-267 ), [ 20 ] and then Puller directed the destroyer to provide open fire support while landing trade rescued his Marines from their precarious position. U.S. Coast Guard Signalman First Class Douglas Albert Munro —Officer-in-Charge of the group of landing craft, was killed while providing covering fire from his land craft for the Marines as they evacuated the beach and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for the action, to date the only Coast Guardsman to receive the decoration. Puller, for his actions, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “ V ”. late on Guadalcanal, Puller was awarded his third Navy Cross, in what was subsequently known as the “ Battle for Henderson Field “. Puller commanded 1st Battalion, 7th Marines ( 1/7 ), one of two american infantry units defending the airfield against a regiment -strength japanese violence. The 3rd Battalion of the U.S. Army ‘s 164th Infantry Regiment ( 3/164 ) fought alongside the Marines. In a firefight on the night of October 24–25, 1942, lasting about three hours, 1/7 and 3/164 sustained 70 casualties ; the japanese wedge suffered over 1,400 killed in action, and the Americans held the airfield. He nominated two of his men ( one being Sgt. John Basilone ) for Medals of Honor. He was wounded himself on November 9. [ citation needed ] Puller was then made executive officeholder of the 7th Marine Regiment. While serving in this capability at the Battle of Cape Gloucester, Puller was awarded his fourth Navy Cross for overall performance of duty between December 26, 1943, and January 19, 1944. During this time, when the battalion commanders of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines ( 3/7 ) and later, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines ( 3/5 ), were under fleshy machine gun and mortar fire, he expertly reorganized the battalion and led the successful attack against heavily fortified japanese defensive positions. He was promoted to colonel effective February 1, 1944, and by the end of the calendar month had been named commander of the 1st Marine Regiment. In September and October 1944, Puller led the 1st Marine Regiment into the prolong struggle on Peleliu, one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history, and received his first of two Legion of Merit awards. The 1st Marines under Puller ‘s control lost 1,749 out of approximately 3,000 men, but these losses did not stop Puller from ordering frontal assaults against the well-entrenched enemy. The corps commanding officer had to order the 1st Marine Division commanding cosmopolitan to pull the annihilated 1st Marine Regiment out of the cable. [ 21 ] During the summer of 1944, Puller ‘s younger brother, Samuel D. Puller, the executive officer of the 4th Marine Regiment, was killed by an enemy sniper on Guam. Puller returned to the United States in November 1944, was named executive officer of the Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Lejeune and, two weeks subsequently, commanding military officer. After the war, he was made director of the 8th Reserve District at New Orleans, and late commanded the Marine barracks at Pearl Harbor .

Korean War [edit ]

Colonel Puller cutting the Marine Corps birthday cake on 10 November 1950 . Colonel Puller studies the terrain during the Korean War . Then-retired Puller and his wife, Virginia, at their home. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Puller was once again assigned as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Regiment. He participated in the landing at Inchon on September 15, 1950, and was awarded the Silver Star Medal. [ 22 ] For leadership from September 15 through November 2, he was awarded his second Legion of Merit. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross from the U.S. Army for heroism in natural process from November 29 to December 4, and his fifth Navy Cross for heroism during December 5–10, 1950, at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. It was during that battle that he said the celebrated agate line, “ We ‘ve been looking for the enemy for some clock now. We ‘ve last found him. We ‘re surrounded. That simplifies things. ” [ 23 ] In January 1951, Puller was promoted to brigadier general and was assigned duty as assistant division commander ( ADC ) of the 1st Marine Division. On February 24, however, his immediate superscript, Major General O.P. Smith, was hurriedly transferred to command IX Corps when its Army air force officer, Major General Bryant Moore, died. Smith ‘s transfer left Puller temporarily in command of the 1st Marine Division until erstwhile in March. He completed his tour of duty as assistant commanding officer and left for the United States on May 20, 1951. [ 24 ] He took command of the 3rd Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California until January 1952, and then was assistant air force officer of the division until June 1952. He then took over Troop Training Unit Pacific at Coronado, California. In September 1953, he was promoted to major general .

Post-Korean War [edit ]

In July 1954, Puller took instruction of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina until February 1955 when he became Deputy Camp Commander. He suffered a stroke, [ 25 ] and was retired by the Marine Corps on November 1, 1955, with a promotion to lieutenant general. [ 26 ] His nickname was related to the manner his barrel thorax stood out due to his aggressive stance, [ 27 ] [ 28 ] with legends claiming that a steel plate had been inserted by surgeons to treat a battle hurt. [ 27 ] In a handwritten summation to a type 22 November 1954 letter to Major Frank C. Sheppard, Puller wrote, “ I agree with you 100 %. I had done a small soldiering previous to Guadalcanal and had been called a lot of names, but why ‘Chesty ‘ ? specially the steel part ? ? ” [ 29 ]

Relations [edit ]

Puller ‘s son, Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr. ( generally known as Lewis Puller ), served as a Marine lieutenant in the Vietnam War. While serving with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines ( 2/1 ), Lewis Jr. was badly wounded by a mine explosion, losing both legs and parts of his hands. Lieutenant General Puller broke down sobbing at seeing his son for the beginning time in the hospital. [ 30 ] Lewis Jr. won a 1992 Pulitzer Prize for his autobiography, Fortunate Son: The Healing of a Vietnam Vet. He committed suicide in 1994. Puller was father-in-law to Colonel William H. Dabney, USMC ( retired ), a Virginia Military Institute ( VMI ) graduate, who was the commanding officer ( then Captain ) of two heavily reinforced plunder companies of the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines ( 3/26 ) from January 21 to April 14, 1968, in Vietnam. During the entire menstruation, Colonel Dabney ‘s push stubbornly defended Hill 881 South, a regional outstation vital to the defense of the Khe Sanh Combat Base during the 77-day siege at the Battle of Khe Sanh. Dabney was recommended for the Navy Cross for his actions on Hill 881 South, but his battalion executive military officer ‘s helicopter carrying the recommendation papers crashed and the papers were lost. It was not until April 15, 2005, that Colonel Dabney received the Navy Cross during an award ceremony at Virginia Military Institute. Puller was a aloof cousin to U.S. Army General George S. Patton. [ 31 ] He was an episcopal and parishioner of Christ Church Parish in Saluda and is buried in the historic cemetery there future to his wife, Virginia Montague Evans. [ 32 ]

Decorations and awards [edit ]

Puller received the second-highest U.S. military award six times ( one of merely two persons therefore honored ) : five Navy Crosses and one U.S. Army Distinguished Service Cross. He was the irregular of two U.S. servicemen ( after U.S. Navy bomber commander Roy Milton Davenport ) to always receive five Navy Crosses. Puller ‘s military awards include :

First Navy Cross citation [edit ]

Citation:

For distinguished servicing in the line of his profession while commanding a nicaraguan National Guard patrol. First Lieutenant Lewis B. Puller, United States Marine Corps, successfully led his forces into five successful engagements against superior numbers of armed bandit forces ; namely, at LaVirgen on 16 February 1930, at Los Cedros on 6 June 1930, at Moncotal on 22 July 1930, at Guapinol on 25 July 1930, and at Malacate on 19 August 1930, with the result that the bandits were in each employment wholly routed with losses of nine killed and many wounded. By his intelligent and emphatic leadership without think of his own personal safety, by great physical effort and by suffering many hardships, Lieutenant Puller surmounted all obstacles and cope five consecutive and severe blows against organized banditry in the Republic of Nicaragua. [ 34 ]

second Navy Cross citation [edit ]

Citation:

First Lieutenant Lewis B. Puller, United States Marine Corps ( Captain, Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua ) performed exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility while in command of a Guardia Patrol from 20 September to 1 October 1932. Lieutenant Puller and his command of forty Guardia and Gunnery Sergeant William A. Lee, United States Marine Corps, serving as a inaugural Lieutenant in the Guardia, penetrated the disjunct cragged bandit district for a distance of from eighty to one hundred miles north of Jinotega, his nearest basis. This patrol was ambushed on 26 September 1932, at a point northeast of Mount Kilambe by an guerrilla force of one hundred fifty dollar bill in a well-prepared side armed with not less than seven automatic pistol weapons and assorted classes of small arms and well-supplied with ammunition. early in the battle, Gunnery Sergeant Lee, the Second in Command, was seriously wounded and reported as dead. The Guardia immediately behind Lieutenant Puller in the point was killed by the first explosion of open fire, Lieutenant Puller, with great courage, coolness and display of military judgment, then directed the fire and movement of his men that the enemy were driven first from the high grind on the correct of his position, and then by a flank bowel movement forced from the gamey ground to the leave and last were scattered in confusion with a loss of ten killed and many wounded by the haunting and well-directed attack of the patrol. The numerous casualties suffered by the enemy and the Guardia losses of two killed and four wounded are indicative of the badness of the enemy electric resistance. This bespeak victory in jungle country, with no lines of communication and a hundred miles from any supporting force, was largely due to the indomitable courage and doggedness of the patrol air force officer. Returning with the wounded to Jinotega, the patrol was ambushed twice by ranking forces on 30 September. On both of the occasions the enemy was dispersed with severe losses. [ 34 ]

Third Navy Cross citation [edit ]

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, during the action against enemy japanese forces on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on the nox of 24 to 25 October 1942. While deputy Colonel Puller ‘s battalion was holding a mile-long battlefront in a heavy downpour of rain, a japanese force, superior in phone number, launched a vigorous assault against that stead of the argumentation which passed through a dense jungle. bravely withstanding the enemy ‘s desperate and determine attacks, Lieutenant Colonel Puller not lone held his battalion to its position until reinforcements arrived three hours late, but besides efficaciously commanded the augment pull until recently in the afternoon of the adjacent day. By his indefatigable devotion to duty and cool judgment under fire, he prevented a hostile penetration of our lines and was largely responsible for the successful defense of the sector assigned to his troops. [ 34 ]

Fourth Navy Cross citation [edit ]

Citation:

For extraordinary heroism as executive Officer of the Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, serving with the Sixth United States Army, in battle against foe japanese forces at Cape Gloucester, New Britain, from 26 December 1943 to 19 January 1944. Assigned temp command of the Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, from 4 to 9 January, Lieutenant Colonel Puller quickly reorganized and advanced his unit, effecting the seizure of the objective without stay. Assuming extra duty in command of the Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, from 7 to 8 January, after the dominate policeman and executive military officer had been wounded, Lieutenant Colonel Puller unhesitatingly exposed himself to rifle, machine-gun and mortar arouse from powerfully entrenched japanese positions to move from company to company in his front lines, reorganizing and maintaining a critical side along a fire-swept ridge. His forceful leadership and gallant fighting spirit under the most hazardous conditions were contributing factors in the frustration of the enemy during this campaign and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. [ 34 ]

Fifth Navy Cross citation [edit ]

Citation

For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the First Marines, First Marine Division ( Reinforced ), in action against aggressor forces in the vicinity of Koto-ri, Korea, from 5 to 10 December 1950. Fighting endlessly in sub-zero weather against a vastly outnumbering hostile coerce, Colonel Puller drove off repeat and fanatic enemy attacks upon his regimental defense sector and add points. Although the area was frequently covered by grazing machine-gun open fire and intense artillery and mortar fire, he coolly moved along his troops to insure their discipline tactical employment, reinforced the lines as the situation demanded, and successfully defended the margin, keeping open the independent issue routes for the motion of the Division. During the attack from Koto-ri to Hungnam, he expertly utilized his regiment as the Division rear guard duty, repelling two ferocious enemy assaults which sternly threatened the security of the unit, and personally supervised the concern and motivate evacuation of all casualties. By his indefatigable determination, he served to inspire his men to heroic efforts in defense of their positions and assured the guard of much valuable equipment which would otherwise have been lost to the enemy. His skilled leadership, brilliant courage and valiant devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Colonel Puller and the United States Naval Service. [ 34 ]

Distinguished Service Cross citation [edit ]

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel Lewis B. “ Chesty ” Puller ( MCSN : 0-3158 ), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer, First Marines, FIRST Marine Division ( Reinforced ), in legal action against enemy attacker forces in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, Korea, during the period 29 November to 4 December 1950. Colonel Puller ‘s actions contributed materially to the breakthrough of the First Marine Regiment in the Chosin Reservoir sphere and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military military service. [ 34 ]

Silver Star citation [edit ]

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star ( Army Award ) to Colonel Lewis B. “ Chesty ” Puller ( MCSN : 0-3158 ), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous heroism and dauntlessness while Commanding the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division ( Reinforced ), in legal action against enemy aggressor forces during the amphibious landing resulting in the get of Inchon, Korea, on 15 September 1950 in the Inchon-Seoul Operation. His actions contributed materially to the achiever of this operation and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Military Service. [ 34 ]

Namesakes and honors [edit ]

In summation to his military awards Puller has received numerous honors due to his Marine Corps service :

Death and bequest [edit ]

A memorial flagpole erected in Puller ‘s respect in his hometown of West point Following his retirement Puller lived in Saluda, Virginia, where he was later buried after his death on October 11, 1971, at Christ Church Parish Episcopal next to his wife. [ 38 ] puller remains a well-known name in U.S. Marine Corps folklore, with both true and exaggerated tales of his experiences being constantly recounted among U.S. Marines. A common incantation in U.S. Marine Corps boot camp is to end one ‘s day with the announcement, “ thoroughly nox, Chesty, wherever you are ! ” [ 39 ] Another common encouragement is “ Chesty Puller never quit ! ” In U.S. Marine Corps recruit train and OCS cadences, Marines chant “ It was good for Chesty Puller/And it ‘s good adequate for me ” american samoa well as “ Tell Chesty Puller I did my best. “ —Chesty is emblematic of the esprit de corps of the Marines. besides, the recruits sing “ Chesty Puller was a good Marine and a good nautical was he. ” U.S. Marines, while doing pull-ups, will tell each other to “ do one for arrogant ! ” Puller insisted upon commodity equipment and discipline ; once he came upon a second deputy who had ordered an engage man to salute him 100 times for missing a salute. Puller told the lieutenant, “ You were absolutely adjust in making him salute you 100 times, Lieutenant, but you know that an policeman must return every salute he receives. now return them all, and I will keep count. ” [ 40 ] [ 41 ] [ 42 ] While on duty in Hawaii and inspecting the arsenal, Puller fined himself $ 100 for unintentionally discharging a .45 quality pistol indoors, although the consign for his men was merely $ 20. [ 42 ]

In democratic culture [edit ]

See besides [edit ]

References [edit ]

bibliography [edit ]

Listen to this article

(

9

minutes

)

( ), and does not reflect subsequent edits.This audio file was created from a revision of this article dated 3 July 2006, and does not reflect subsequent edits.