Happy Birthday Sir [Archive] - Marine Corps

thedrifter

06-26-08, 11:12 AM

http://web.vmi.edu/news/images/chesty09.jpg

Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (26 JUN 1898 - 11 OCT 1971) was the most decorated Marine in American history. Puller is the only United States Marine to receive five Navy Crosses, the United States Navy's second highest decoration after Congressional Medal of Honor. During his career, he fought in World War 2 and the Korean War, and participated in some of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history.

Puller, whose nickname was inspired by his barrel chest, was born in West Point, Virginia. He was a second cousin of General George S. Patton. 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.

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 December 1928, Puller was assigned to the Nicaraguan National Guard detachment, where he earned his first Navy Cross. He returned stateside in July 1931 for training at Fort Benning, GA, and returned to Nicaragua to earn a second Navy Cross for leading "five successive engagements against superior numbers of armed bandit forces"

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, which was commanded by then-Captain Chester W. Nimitz. 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.

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, which would soon be renamed MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Early in the war, the 7th Marines formed the nucleus of the newly created 3rd Marine Brigade and arrived to defend Samoa on 08 MAY 42. Later they were redeployed from the Brigade and left Samoa to rejoin the 1st Division at Guadalcanal on 18 SEP 42.

Soon after arriving on Guadalcanal, Puller's quick thinking saved his Marines from annihilation in a fierce fight at Matanikau. 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 United States 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 Of Henderson Field, in which the 1/7 battalion was the only American unit defending the airstrip against a regiment of Japanese troops. In a firefight on the night of 24-25 OCT 42 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. Puller was shot by a sniper twice and wounded by shrapnel in three different places; he was awarded the Purple Heart.

While serving as Executive Officer of the 7th, Puller earned his fourth Navy Cross for overall performance of duty between 26 DEC 43 and 19 JAN 44. During this time, when the battalion commanders of 3/7 MAR and later, 3/5 MAR 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 01 FEB 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.

Puller returned to the United States in November 1944, to become Commanding Officer of the Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Lejeune. After the war, he commanded the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Puller was once again assigned as commander of the 1st Marine Regiment, with which he made a landing at Inchon on 15 SEP 50. 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."

In January, 1951, Puller was promoted to Brigadier General and was assigned duty as assistant division commander (ADC) of the 1st Marine Division. On 24 FEB 51 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. 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 05 MAR 51 Puller would serve as ADC until he completed his tour of duty and returned to the United States on 20 MAY 51.

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 01 NOV 55. Chesty Puller died on 11 OCT 71 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.

LTG Puller's awards include the Navy Cross with four gold stars; the Distinguished Service Cross; the Silver Star; the Legion of Merit with gold star and "V" device; the Bronze Star with "V" device; the Air Medal with two gold stars; and the Purple Heart.

QUOTES FROM CHESTY!!!

"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!"

"Great. Now we can shoot at those bastards from every direction."

"We’re surrounded. That simplifies our problem of getting to these people and killing them"

"Remember, you're the 1st Marines! Not all the Communists in Hell can overrun you!"

"Take me to the Brig. I want to see the real Marines."

"Alright you bastards, try and shoot me!" (to Korean forces)

"Where do you put the bayonet?" (upon seeing a flamethrower for the first time)

"You don't hurt 'em if you don't hit 'em."

"Hit hard, hit fast, hit often."

"Retreat! Hell, we're just advancing in a different direction." (Also attributed to Major General O. P. Smith)

Ellie