The Greatest

[Shaffer]

Who was the Greatest Marine of all time?

[wrbones]

Two people. Besides Chesty....

The guy that started it all...


or the Marine General who sacrificed his career in the late forties, early fifties in a plain and hard speech before congress in order to save the Marine Corps from imminent extinction.

Maybe the Marine who said, Send the Marines to the Phillipines, or the one who said, Send the Marines to Montzuma's palace. Maybe the Marine who said, Send the Marines to China. The guy who said, Send us to Belleau Wood. These were the actions that cemented our name in the minds of the people.

Before these actions, after the 1830's or so, we were little more than an unwanted part of a ship's crew.


There are too many to name....

[thedrifter]

Since I did not serve under any of the the above listed Outstanding Marines, I chose General Walt......
I did serve under him in Vietnam....
He took care of his troops.........

Sempers,

Roger

[USMC-FO]

"Bones" refers to "the man that helped save the Corps in the 40'S".....

I suspect he may mean Brig Gen James D. Hittle who was the primary pen and voice for the "Little Men's Chowder and Marching Society" and was principally responsible for saving the Corps role in the late 40's when consideration of its role was under active assult.

Sadly Gen Hittle recently passed away in DC at the age of 87.

I can't claim to have known this info on my own except for a memorial posted on page 60 of the October isssue of "Leatherneck"

Semper Fi !!

[MillRatUSMC]

What criteria do we used in judging.
Most medals?
Fought in more battles.
Enlisted?
Officer?
Infantry?
Arty?
Tanks?
Air Wing?
Most quoted?

I still go with two Marine Officers;
General O.P Smith Co 1st Marine Division Korea 1950.
Lt. Clifton Cates of the 6th Marine Regiment in WWI.
Later to become Commandant of the Marine Corps

Another Marine Officer that I greatly admired.
Was my Platoon Commander in Bravo Co 3rd Recon Bn.
1st Lt. Frank Stanley Reasoner USMC recipent of the MOH.
Gave his life defending and trying to save his radioman in Vietnam.
May God grant you peace, Sir.

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo

[firstsgtmike]

It was forty plus years ago, and many of the details (when, where) have long since faded from memory. But I swear on my honor that this following scene is as I witnessed it.

It was a football game, the Marine team against another team, and we were required to attend. At half time, the arrival of a VIP was announced.

It was amazing. Every man there jumped to attention, then broke his posture to ensure and assist his wife and children to their feet. Then the applause started. A spontaneous ten minute standing ovation, complete with shouts and cheers.

I looked around, trying to see where he was. I will never forget the tears pouring down the faces of senior Staff NCO's and senior Officers. Those who knew him, or of him, or had served under him, could only express their emotions with tears.

I was there, but I didn't know him. Hell, I didn't even know who he was. I DO NOW.

I sincerely believe that I became a better Marine, after sitting in the bleachers, attending a game I cared nothing about, and witnessing that tribute to an inspiration.

THE GREATEST can ONLY be the man who could inspire so much devotion, so much loyalty, so much honor, so many unashamed tears, so much pride in being able to wear the same uniform.

The Marine's MARINE, Chesty Puller!

Semper Fidelis, and Thank You Chesty.

[arzach]

Originally posted by MillRatUSMC
What criteria do we used in judging.
Most medals?
Fought in more battles.
Enlisted?
Officer?
Infantry?
Arty?
Tanks?
Air Wing?
Most quoted?
INSRIRATIONAL-----

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo
_________________
THE GREATEST can ONLY be the man who could inspire so much devotion, so much loyalty, so much honor, so many unashamed tears, so much pride in being able to wear the same uniform.

The Marine's MARINE, Chesty Puller!

Semper Fidelis, and Thank You Chesty[COLOR=green]
_________________

Millrat, twas a great and deserving post, but I have to side wid 1st Sgt. Mike on this. Looking at the candidates listed, wuz difficult to pick one out. Choice got narrowed to CHESTY, cause his very self, background, and abilities, cover the entire spectrum of the term 'Marine'. Only one I know, who would be a 'definate' second, would be my Sr. D.I.---Sgt. Charles D. Mortis---

[Sparrowhawk]

Was the Marines that died in the battlefield that others may live.


They showed me what love, honor, and the home of the brave is really all about.

Now, I live to bring them honor.

Cook

[Sophora]

My Mom, with Dad running a tight second..

but that's just a BRaT's view

[USMC0311]

Originally posted by Shaffer
Who was the Greatest Marine of all time?

"Chesty" Puller...The Marines, Marine

[NamNuts]

The Marines in the fightin hole to the right and left of me...!

Good night Chesty...!

[USMC0311]

Originally posted by NamNuts


The Marines in the fightin hole to the right and left of me...!

Good night Chesty...!



with yer luck JOS U gonna need Marines all round U Bro... I hope yer brakes ain't causin ya too much pain..and the bones heal good...Now..what ya need to do Marine iz "ask A Nurse" :yes: its bout the only part ya ain't broke yet man.
Semper Fi, James Get Well Soon Bro

[BARboy04]

CARLOS HATHCOCK IS THE GREATEST MARINE OF ALL TIME! In death and in life, he is one of the greatest Marines of all time. He is truly an unsung hero who never got any recogniztion. I am sure that he is one of the Marines gaurding the gates to hevan. May God rest his soul.

[Seeley]

From my reading of famous Marine Corps men and women, I would have to say that Sergeant Major John Quick was the best. That man rocked as a matter of fact. He directed naval gunfire with his back turned to the enemy! You don't get much more bad assed than that. That man is pure inspiration! I would also have to vote for Gunnery Sergeant John Shaner (USMC Ret.) and Major Ken Paul (USMC Ret.) for going out of their ways when they were retired. They have dedicated their lives to making promising leaders out of today’s youth through the MCJROTC programs.

[wrbones]

What about the sorry bastard who just does his duty day in and day out time after time after time. Never a word and no recognition.

We need the "heros" but we need the guy who just does his job and does it well.

[badbob]

Puller was the easy choice, but I selected Dan Daly because he was just a basic Grunt.

But as Bones stated, it’s the guy from anywhere USA, who’s name no one can remember, who keeps his mouth shut and does his job, who makes the Corps what it is.

However, Chesty was probably the best damn Marine Officer who ever walked a battlefield.

I salute all you guys out there whose names I can’t remember, you’re the backbone, you are the Corps!

Semper Fi,
Bob

[SilverBear]

All the Marines listed qualify for being the best of the breed . . . but . . . the best of the best is yet to come . . . the way the Corps has improved in the last 200+ years, the new breed will go on to even greater glory and continue to the build the Marine Corps legend.

All you Marines out there in cyberspace had a part in forming this up and coming new breed of Marine . . . take pride Marines . . . you did a great job!

Semper Fi

SilverBear