Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller

" Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem. " Ronald Reagan President of the United States of America (“Marine Corps and other Military Quotes”) A hero defined according to Webster is “a man of distinguished valor.” He perhaps is a person who does his duty not worrying of consequences. Many times heroes survive and achieve legendary status in time of danger. They rise up in the face of adversity. They conquer their fears and find a way to succeed when none is thought possible.

Marine Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller fits all of these heroic qualities. Puller got his nickname “Chesty” from his barrel chest. The myth among the Marines was that his chest had been shot away in battle and a new one was made using a steel plate. In battles from Guadalcanal to the Chosen Reservoir, Puller lived up to his bulletproof reputation, earning medals that required every inch of his uniform to display. He was fearless, determined and a brilliant tactician. Chesty Puller is thought to be the greatest Marine that ever lived. He fought in WWII, Korea, and the Banana Wars.

He was born June 26, 1898 in West Point, Virginia. He attended VMI (Virginia Military Institute) in 1915. Chesty Puller enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1918 at the age of 20. He chased bandits in Haiti and Nicaragua, and was also in the expeditions of China. A Marine officer and enlisted man for 37 years, General Puller served at sea or overseas for all but ten of those years. Excluding medals from foreign governments, he won a total of 14 personal decorations in combat, plus a long list of campaign medals, unit citation ribbons and other awards. Puller was awarded the Navy Cross, the highest honor the Navy can bestow five times. He is the only man in the United States to hold that honor. He also holds its Army equivalent, the Distinguished Service Cross. Chesty Puller was and still is the most decorated Marine of all time.

Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller had many heroic accomplishments that need recognition, however one stands out in my mind. Puller won his third Navy Cross over the nights of October 24-25 1942. For a desperate three hours his battalion, stretched over a mile-long front, was the only defense between vital Henderson Airfield and a regiment of seasoned Japanese troops. In pouring jungle rain the Japanese smashed repeatedly at his thin line, as General Puller moved up and down its length to encourage his men and direct the defense. Through his leadership his Marines killed 1400 of the enemy and 17 truckloads of Japanese equipment were recovered by the Americans.

In 1966, General Puller requested to return to active duty to serve in Vietnam, but was turned down because of his age. He died 11 October 1971 in Hampton, Virginia, after a long illness. He was 73. Chesty Puller was a heroic man who changed Marine pride forever due to his bravery and courage. His pride still shows from Quantico to Afghanistan. His achievements were highlighted with his five Navy crosses, which were awarded during three different wars! According to the 40th President of the United States Ronald Reagan, many people live their whole lives without accomplishing something great or heroic. Chesty Puller didn’t have that problem!