NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Chesty Puller

Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) was an officer in the United States Marine Corps and is the most decorated Marine in history. Puller is the only United States Marine to receive five Navy Crosses, the U.S. Navy's second highest decoration after the Medal of Honor. During his career, he fought guerillas in Haiti and Nicaragua, and participated in some of the bloodiest battles of World War II and the Korean War. Puller retired from the Marine Corps in 1955, spending the rest of his life in Virginia. is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Picture of Chesty Puller from Marine Historic Site (http://hqinet001. ... West Point is an incorporated town in King William County, Virginia, United States. ... Saluda, Virginia is a town in the state of Virginia in the United States. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The 1st Marine Division is the oldest, largest (active duty), and most decorated division in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force of more than 19,000 men and women. ... 2nd Battalion 4th Marines (2/4) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (1/7) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The 1st Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. ... US Marines with the captured flag of Augusto CÃ©sar Sandino in Nicaragua in 1932 The Banana Wars is an unofficial term that refers to the United States military interventions into Central and South America. ... The United States occupation of Haiti began on July 28, 1915 and ended in mid-August, 1934. ... The United States occupied Nicaragua from 1909-1933 and intervened in the country several times before that. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Operation Watchtower On August 7, 1942, the 1st Marine Division performed an amphibious landing east of the Tenaru River. ... The eastern part of the Territory of New Guinea, and the northern Solomon Islands; the area in which Operation Cartwheel took place, from June 1943. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders William H. Rupertus, USMC Kunio Nakagawa Strength 2 divisions (1st Marine Division and the USA 81st Infantry Division) Approximately 11,000 men Casualties 2,336 killed and 8,450 wounded 10,695 killed, 202 captured The Battle of Peleliu, like the bloody World... Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea Australia Belgium Canada Colombia Ethiopia France Greece Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Philippines South Africa Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States Medical staff: Denmark Italy Norway Sweden Communist: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Peoples Republic of China Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee Chung... Combatants United Nations North Korea Commanders Douglas MacArthur Arthur Dewey Struble Chesty Puller Kim Il-sung Choi Yong-Kun The Battle of Inchon (Korean spelling: Incheon) (Korean: Incheon Sangryuk Jakjeon; code name: Operation Chromite) was a decisive invasion and battle during the Korean War. ... Combatants United Nations Great Britain United States Peoples Republic of China Commanders Oliver Smith Song Shi-Lun Strength 30,000 60,000 Casualties 2,500 dead, 192 missing, 5,000 wounded, 7,500 frostbite casualties 25,000 killed, 12,500 wounded, 30,000 frostbite casualties The Battle of Chosin... The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor. ... The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army which is awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. ... The Silver Star is the fourth highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces. ... The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. ... The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. ... For other uses, see Purple Heart (disambiguation). ... Lewis Burwell Puller Jr. ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... A mustang is United States Military (especially Navy and Marine Corps) slang for a commissioned officer who began his or her career as an enlisted person. ... The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. ... The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy. ... The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki TÅjÅ Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea Australia Belgium Canada Colombia Ethiopia France Greece Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Philippines South Africa Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States Medical staff: Denmark Italy Norway Sweden Communist: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Peoples Republic of China Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee Chung... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ... This article is about the U.S. state. ...

Early life, through World War I

Puller, whose nickname was inspired by his barrel chest, was born in West Point, Virginia. He was a distant relative of U.S. Army General George S. Patton. His grandfather had died fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War and his childhood heroes were Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. He grew up regularly hunting, fishing and horseback riding and would later remark that, "Those days in the woods saved my life many a time in combat^[1]." West Point is an incorporated town in King William County, Virginia, United States. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... George Patton redirects here. ... Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God, Our Vindicator) Anthem (none official) God Save the South (unofficial) The Bonnie Blue Flag (unofficial) Dixie (unofficial) Capital Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29, 1861) Richmond, Virginia (May 29, 1861â€“April 2, 1865) Danville, Virginia (from April 3, 1865) Language(s) English (de facto) Religion... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... For other uses of Stonewall Jackson, see Stonewall Jackson (disambiguation). ... // For other uses, see Robert E. Lee (disambiguation). ...

He graduated high school with a mediocre record then enrolled in the Virginia Military Institute in 1917. He dropped out after a year and enlisted into the Marine Corps. The rapid increase in the Marine Corps size meant Puller was given a commission but the war ended before he could make it to France^[2]. The Virginia Military Institute (VMI), located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state military college in the United States. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar (see: 1917 Julian calendar). ...

Interwar years

Puller was appointed to the rank of Second Lieutenant in the reserves on June 16, 1919, but reduction in force following the war led to his being put on inactive status on the 26th of that month. Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... The Military Reserves are an organization that is associated with the military but is not in active duty. ... is the 167th day of the year (168th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1919 (MCMXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar). ...

Puller re-enlisted in the Marine Corps the same year. As an enlisted man, he saw action in Haiti with the Gendarmerie d'Haiti, which was working under a treaty with the United States, and participated in over forty engagements during the ensuing five years against the Caco rebels. In March 1924, he returned stateside and was again commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, afterward completing assignments at the Marine Barracks in Norfolk, Virginia, Basic School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and with the 10th 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. Motto LUnion Fait La Force(French) The Union Makes Strength Anthem La Dessalinienne Capital (and largest city) Port-au-Prince Official languages French, Haitian Creole Government Republic - President RenÃ© PrÃ©val - Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis Formation - as Saint-Domingue 1697 - Independence from France January 1, 1804 Area - Total... Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. is located at 8th and I streets SE in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1801, it is a registered historical site, the oldest post in the United States Marine Corps and home to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. ... Motto: Crescas (Latin for, Thou shalt grow. ... The Basic School (TBS) is where all newly commissioned United States Marine Corps officers are sent to learn the art and science of being a Marine officer. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area - City 369. ... The 10th Marine Regiment is an artillery regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. ... Quantico, Virginia is in Prince William County, 23 miles north-northeast of Fredericksburg, Virginia, near Dumfries and Stafford along Highway 619. ... This article is about the harbor in Hawaii. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... San Diego redirects here. ...

In December 1928, Puller was assigned to the Nicaraguan National Guard detachment, where he earned his first Navy Cross. He returned stateside in July 1931 and completed the year-long Company Officers Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, thereafter returning to Nicaragua to earn a second Navy Cross for leading "five successive engagements against superior numbers of armed bandit forces". The Guardia Nacional de Nicaragua, otherwise known as Guardia or in English Nicaraguan National Guard, was a militia created during the occupation of that country by the United States. ... The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor. ... Fort Benning is a base facility of the United States military outside Columbus, Georgia. ...

After his service in Nicaragua, Puller was assigned to the Marine detachment at the American Legation in Beijing, China commanding a unit of China Marines. He then went on to serve aboard USS Augusta, a cruiser in the Asiatic Fleet, which was commanded by then-Captain Chester W. Nimitz. Puller returned to the States in June 1936 as an instructor at the Basic School in Philadelphia. The United States occupied Nicaragua from 1909-1933 and intervened in the country several times before that. ... A legation was the term used in diplomacy to denote a diplomatic representative office lower than an embassy. ... Peking redirects here. ... China Marines are those United States Marines from the 4th Marine Regiment who were stationed in Shanghai, China during 1927 - 1941 to protect American citizens and their property in the Shanghai International Settlement during the Chinese Revolution and the Second Sino-Japanese War. ... The fourth USS Augusta (CA-31) (originally CL-31) was a Northampton-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy, notable for service in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during World War II, and for her occasional use as a presidential flagship carrying both Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman... USS Port Royal (CG-73), a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser (really an uprated guided missile destroyer), launched in 1992. ... The Asiatic Fleet was part of the US Navy. ... Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz GCB (February 24, 1885 â€“ February 20, 1966) was the Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces for the United States and Allied forces during World War II. He was the United States leading authority on submarines, as well as Chief of the Navys Bureau of...

In May 1939, he returned to the Augusta as commander of the onboard Marine detachment, and thence back to China, disembarking in Shanghai in May 1940 to serve as the executive officer of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines. He later served as its commanding officer. For other uses, see Shanghai (disambiguation). ... While Executive officer literally refers to a person responsible for the performance of duties involved in running an organization, the exact meaning of the role is highly variable, depending on the organization. ... 2nd Battalion 4th Marines (2/4) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The commanding officer (CO) is the officer in command of a military unit. ...

World War II

Major Puller returned to the U.S. on August 28, 1941. After a short leave, he was given command of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (known as 1/7) of the 1st Marine Division, stationed at New River, the new Marine amphibious base which would soon be renamed for the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, John A. Lejeune. MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.^[3] Early in the Pacific theater the 7th Marines formed the nucleus 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 Division at Guadalcanal on September 18, 1942. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (1/7) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The 1st Marine Division is the oldest, largest (active duty), and most decorated division in the United States Marine Corps representing a combat-ready force of more than 19,000 men and women. ... Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is near Jacksonville, North Carolina, on the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Largest metro area Charlotte metro area Area Ranked 28th - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 kmÂ²) - Width 150 miles (240 km) - Length 560[1] miles (900 km) - % water 9. ... The Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) is the term used in the United States for all military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, in World War II. Pacific War is a more common name, around the world, for the broader conflict between the Allies and Japan... is the 128th day of the year (129th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the island in the Pacific Ocean. ... is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Soon after arriving on Guadalcanal, 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, three of Puller's companies were surrounded and cut-off by a larger Japanese force. Puller ran to the shore, signaled a U.S. Navy destroyer, and then directed the destroyer to provide gunfire support while landing craft rescued his Marines from their precarious position. Later on Guadalcanal, Puller earned his third Navy Cross for action that was later known as the "Battle for Henderson Field", in which the 1/7 battalion was the only American unit defending the airfield against a regiment-strength Japanese force. In a firefight on the night of October 24–25, 1942 lasting about three hours, 1/7 sustained 70 casualties; the Japanese force suffered over 1,400 killed in action, and the battalion held the airfield. Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, Merritt A. Edson Chesty Puller Harukichi Hyakutake, Kiyotaki Kawaguchi Akinosuka Oka Strength 2,100[1] 1,900[2] Casualties 91 killed[3] 30 killed[4] The Action Along the Matanikau, sometimes referred to as the Second Battle of the Matanikau, was... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders Alexander Vandegrift, Chesty Puller Harukichi Hyakutake, Masao Maruyama Strength 23,088[1] 20,000[2] Casualties 61 â€“ 86 killed, 1 tugboat, 1 patrol boat sunk, 3 aircraft destroyed[3] 2,200 â€“ 3,000 killed, 1 cruiser sunk, 14 aircraft destroyed[4] The Battle... For other uses, see Airport (disambiguation). ... British regiment A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - commanded by a colonel. ... See also the town of Battle, East Sussex, England Generally, a battle is an instance of combat between two or more parties wherein each group will seek to defeat the others. ...

While on Guadacanal Puller was shot by a sniper twice and wounded by shrapnel in three different places; he was awarded the Purple Heart.

Following this action Puller was made executive officer of the 7th Marine Regiment. While serving in this capacity at Cape Gloucester, Puller earned 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 and, later, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines were taken out of the fight, he assumed temporary command of both units. In each instance, while under heavy 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 1 February 44 and by the end of the month, had been named Commander of the 1st Marine Regiment. Colonel Puller would lead the 1st Marines into the protracted battle on Peleliu, one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history during September and October 1944. Also during the summer 1944, Puller's younger brother, Samuel D. Puller, the Executive Officer of the 4th Marine Regiment, was killed by a sniper on Guam ^[4] While Executive officer literally refers to a person responsible for the performance of duties involved in running an organization, the exact meaning of the role is highly variable, depending on the organization. ... The 7th Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. ... The name Cape Gloucester may refer to two different places in the South Pacific: A geographical feature near the westernmost extremity of the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea, the site of the Battle of Cape Gloucester, part of Operation Cartwheel, in 1943. ... Combatants United States Empire of Japan Commanders William H. Rupertus, USMC Kunio Nakagawa Strength 2 divisions (1st Marine Division and the USA 81st Infantry Division) Approximately 11,000 men Casualties 2,336 killed and 8,450 wounded 10,695 killed, 202 captured The Battle of Peleliu, like the bloody World...

Puller returned to the United States in November 1944, was named executive officer of the Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Lejeune and, two weeks later, Commanding Officer. After the war, he was made Director of the 8th Reserve District at New Orleans, Louisiana, and later commanded the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor. NOLA redirects here. ... This article is about the harbor in Hawaii. ...

Korean War

At the outbreak of the Korean conflict, Puller was once again assigned as commander of the 1st Marine Regiment, with which he made a landing at Inchon on September 15, 1950. In November of that year, Puller earned his fifth Navy Cross for action during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. It was during that battle when he made the famous quote, "We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things."^[5] 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 24th, however, his immediate superior, Major General O. P. Smith, was hastily transferred to command IX Corps when its army commander, Major General Moore, was killed. Smith’s temporary transfer left Puller in command of his beloved 1st Marine Division. Instinctively, Puller knew the army hierarchy would not allow General Smith, a Marine, to command a unit that included army troops. So, when ordered to begin the last phase of Operation Killer, Puller made the best of the opportunity by skillfully leading the 1st Marine Division and achieving its objectives. General Smith returned from IX Corps on March 5th^[6]. Puller would serve as ADC until he completed his tour of duty and returned to the United States on May 20, 1951. Image File history File linksMetadata Puller-Birthday. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Puller-Birthday. ... is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea Australia Belgium Canada Colombia Ethiopia France Greece Luxembourg Netherlands New Zealand Philippines South Africa Thailand Turkey United Kingdom United States Medical staff: Denmark Italy Norway Sweden Communist: Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Peoples Republic of China Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee Chung... Combatants United Nations North Korea Commanders Douglas MacArthur Arthur Dewey Struble Chesty Puller Kim Il-sung Choi Yong-Kun The Battle of Inchon (Korean spelling: Incheon) (Korean: Incheon Sangryuk Jakjeon; code name: Operation Chromite) was a decisive invasion and battle during the Korean War. ... is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1950 (MCML) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants United Nations Great Britain United States Peoples Republic of China Commanders Oliver Smith Song Shi-Lun Strength 30,000 60,000 Casualties 2,500 dead, 192 missing, 5,000 wounded, 7,500 frostbite casualties 25,000 killed, 12,500 wounded, 30,000 frostbite casualties The Battle of Chosin...

General Puller subsequently received promotions to Major General and Lieutenant General, and served in various command capacities until his retirement due to health reasons on November 1, 1955. Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... US Lieutenant General insignia In three branches of the United States Army, United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force, a Lieutenant General is also called a three-star general, named for the three stars worn on the uniform. ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ...

Later career

In 1965, he requested to be reinstated in the Corps in order to see action in the Vietnam War, but the request was denied on the basis of his age. Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam Peopleâ€™s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000...

General Puller was father-in-law to Colonel William H. Dabney who, as a Captain, received the Navy Cross for his leadership as Commanding Officer of two heavily reinforced rifle companies of the Third Battalion, Twenty-Sixth Marines from 21 January to 14 April 1968. During the entire period, Colonel Dabney's force stubbornly defended Hill 881S, a regional outpost vital to the defense of the Khe Sanh Combat Base during the 77-day siege.

Lewis Burwell Puller died on October 11, 1971 in Saluda, Virginia; he was 73. He is buried in Christchurch Parish Cemetery on the southeast side of Christchurch School off Highway 33 (also called "General Puller Highway") in Christchurch, Virginia. General Puller's widow, Virginia, died in 2006 at the age of 97 and was buried next to him. Saluda, Virginia is a town in the state of Virginia in the United States. ... Christchurch School is a college preparatory school in Christchurch, Virginia, founded in 1921 by the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. ... State Route 33 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Virginia. ...

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 Ã— 1200 pixel, file size: 358 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1600 Ã— 1200 pixel, file size: 358 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

Decorations and honors

Puller was the most decorated U.S. Marine in history and one of only two people to receive the Navy Cross, the Navy's second highest decoration, five times (the other being Navy submarine commander Roy Milton Davenport). With five Navy Crosses and a Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's second highest decoration, Puller received the nation's second highest military decoration a total of six times. The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor. ... Roy Milton Davenport, a Rear Admiral, was the first person in the United States Navy to receive five Navy Crosses. ... The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor. ... The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army, awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. ...

While exact counts of Puller's total number of decorations vary from source to source, an accepted number of 52 separate, subsequent, and foreign awards is commonplace. The reason for difficulty in assigning an exact total comes from the variety of foreign decorations that each carry different protocols in regard to wear and display.

U.S. military decorations

Navy Cross Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The Navy Cross is the second highest medal that can be awarded by the Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor. ... Gold and Silver Award Stars An Award star is a decoration issued by the United States military to denote multiple military awards issued to personnel of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and United States Marines. ... DSC Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army which is awarded for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Silver Star is also a passenger rail line run by Amtrak as part of their Silver Service and Palmetto service. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. ... The Valor device, also known as a combat distinguishing device, V-device, V device, and Combat V, is an award of the United States military which is authorized by the military services as an attachment to certain awards and decorations. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration and is the fourth highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Air Medal Ribbon The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States which was established by Executive Order 9158, signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, on May 11, 1942. ... Purple Heart Ribbon File links The following pages link to this file: Purple Heart Awards and decorations of the United States military User:Zscout370/Images Template:USFederalMilitary Categories: United States government images ... For other uses, see Purple Heart (disambiguation). ... Navy & Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Please see Presidential Unit Citation for other versions of this award The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941 (the date of the Attack on... Marine Corps Good Conduct Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military decorations of the United States military. ... USMC Expedition Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal is a decoration of the United States Marine Corps which was first created on May 8, 1919. ... WW1 Victory Ribbon File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The World War I Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was first created in 1919. ... The World War I Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was first created in 1919. ... US Navy Haiti Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... First and Second Haitian Campaign Medals The Haitian Campaign Medal was a military decoration of the United States Navy which was issued in the year 1917 and again in the year 1921. ... Nicaraguan Ribbon (2) This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... First and Second Nicaraguan Campaign Medals The Nicaraguan Campaign Medal is a military decoration of the United States Navy which was authorized by Presidential Order of Woodrow Wilson on September 22, 1913. ... China Service Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The China Service Medal was a military medal awarded to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel. ... American Campaign Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1941 by Executive Order of President Franklin Roosevelt. ... The American Defense Service Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created in 1941 by Executive Order of President Franklin Roosevelt. ... American Campaign Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... American Campaign Medal The American Campaign Medal was a decoration of the United States military which was first created in 1942 by order of President Franklin Roosevelt. ... Asia Campaign Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945. ... WWII Victory Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... WWII Victory Medal The World War II Victory Medal is a decoration of the United States military which was created by an act of Congress in July 1945. ... Image File history File links National_Defense_Service_Medal_ribbon. ... Ribbon for the National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military decoration of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. ... KSM Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... The Korean War Service Medal is a decoration of South Korea which was first authorized in December 1950. ...

Non-U.S. awards

The Cross of Valor (Polish: ) is a Polish military decoration. ... Korea Presidential Citiation Ribbon This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Korean P.U.C. The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation is issued by the government of South Korea to both Korean military and foreign units. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The United Nations Service Medal is an international military decoration which was established by the United Nations on December 12, 1950. ...

Namesakes and honors

The frigate Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23) was named after him. The USS McInerney (FFG 8), an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate. ... USS (FFG-23), fifteenth ship of the Oliver Hazard Perry class of guided-missile frigates, was named for Marine Lieutenant General Lewis B. Chesty Puller (1898–1971). ...

The headquarters building for 2nd Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team on Yorktown Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, Virginia is named Puller Hall in his honor. Two marines from the 1st Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) Battalion guarding an Iraqi oil rig in April 2004 The Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) is a branch of the United States Marine Corps security forces capable of rapidly deploying to improve security at United States Government installations worldwide. ... Naval Weapons Station Yorktown is a United States Navy base in Virginia. ... York Hall is a government building on Yorktowns historic Main Street. ...

On November 10, 2005, the United States Postal Service issued its Distinguished Marines stamps in which Puller was honored.^[7] is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Among Marines

A common incantation in the tradition of the Marine Corps is to end one's day with the declaration, "Good night Chesty, wherever you are!"

In boot camp and OCS, Marines chant "It was good for Chesty Puller/And it's good enough for me" — Chesty is symbolic of the esprit de corps of the Marines. Boot Camp is a software assistant made available by Apple Inc. ... The United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS) is a school located in MCB Quantico, providing initial training and screening for potential officers of Marines. ... Esprit de Corps might refer to: Esprit de Corps - state of mind, Morale. ...

Chesty is loved by enlisted men for his constant actions to improve their lot. Puller insisted upon good equipment and discipline; once he came upon a second lieutenant who had ordered an enlisted man to salute him 100 times for missing a salute. Chesty told the Lieutenant: "You were absolutely correct in making him salute you 100 times Lieutenant, but you know that an officer must return every salute he receives. Now return them all."^[8]^[9]

While on duty in Hawaii and inspecting the armory, Puller fined himself for discharging a weapon in an unsafe manner.

Lewis B. Puller, Jr.

The general's son Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr. (generally known as Lewis Puller), followed his father into the Marine Corps and lost both legs and parts of his hands in Vietnam while serving with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, the regiment formerly commanded by his father. Lewis Puller ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress, later writing an autobiography titled Fortunate Son that won the Pulitzer Prize in 1992. He committed suicide on May 11, 1994. Lewis Burwell Puller Jr. ... Type Bicameral Speaker of the House of Representatives House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Steny Hoyer, (D) since January 4, 2007 House Minority Leader John Boehner, (R) since January 4, 2007 Members 435 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party... Cover of the first English edition of 1793 of Benjamin Franklins autobiography. ... The Pulitzer Prize is an American award regarded as the highest national honor in print journalism, literary achievements, and musical composition. ... For other uses, see Suicide (disambiguation). ... is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ...

His wife said at the time "To the list of names of victims of the Vietnam War, add the name of Lewis Puller ... He suffered terrible wounds that never really healed."

Quotes

Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wikiquote is one of a family of wiki-based projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation, running on MediaWiki software. ...

Contents

Early life, through World War I

Interwar years

World War II

Korean War

Later career

Decorations and honors

U.S. military decorations

Non-U.S. awards

Namesakes and honors

Among Marines

Lewis B. Puller, Jr.

Quotes

See also

Notes

References

Books

External links

Contents

Early life, through World War I GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Interwar years

World War II

Korean War

Later career

Decorations and honors

U.S. military decorations

Non-U.S. awards

Namesakes and honors

Among Marines

Lewis B. Puller, Jr.

Quotes

See also

Notes

References

Books

External links

Early life, through World War I