Lewis “Chesty” Puller

Dates

Lieutenant
General Lewis Burwell ‘Chesty’ Puller is considered by many to
be the greatest Marine ever. Lewis Puller served in Haiti, china,
Nicaragua, Korea, and World War II. He is the only Marine to be
awarded the Navy Cross five times for heroism and gallantry in
combat. Puller served in the US Marine Corps for 37 years, and
was at sea or overseas for 27 of those years.

Puller
attended Virginia Military Institute until dropping out to join
the Marines in August of 1918, hoping to see service in World
War I. Appointed a second lieutenant in the reserves, he was discharged
due to force cutbacks after the war. Puller then re-enter the
Marines as an enlisted man to serve with a military force in Haiti.

Puller
saw frequent action during his five years in Haiti against the
Caco rebels. Returning to the US in 1924, Puller was commissioned
a second lieutenant. Puller served in Nicaragua from 1928 to 1933
where he earned two Navy Crosses. After leaving Nicaragua, Puller
went to China and commanded the famed “Horse Marines.”

Puller
commanded the 7th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division during action
on Gualalcanal in World War II. Puller earned his third Navy Cross
on 24-25 October 1942 while his battalion defended Henderson Field
against seasoned Japanese troops. Puller’s men sustained less
than 70 casualties while killing over 1400 Japanese and protecting
the airfield.

Puller
won his fourth Navy Cross in February 1944 while executive officer
of 7th Marines at Cape Gloucester, moving through machine gun
and mortar fire to take command of two battalions whose commanders
had been killed.

Puller
landed with the 1st Marines at Inchon, Korea, in September of
1950. Puller continued to serve in Korea until May of 1951. LtGen
Puller retired in 1955 after serving 37 years and earning five
Navy Crosses, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit with “V”,
the Bronze Star, the Bronze Star with “V”, the Air Medal,
and the Purple Heart. In 1966, at the age of 68, Puller requested
to return to active duty for service in Vietnam, but was turned
down due to his age.

“All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re
in front of us, they’re behind us… they can’t get away this
time.”

“We’re
surrounded… that simplifies our problem.”

“Son,
if they give you any shit, level the place.” Orders to a
company commander.