thedrifter
04-09-09, 12:37 PM
Sergeant Chesty X, United States Marine Corps
By Duane Crawford
April 09, 2009 11:56 am
— As a 26-year member of the Marine Corps, I know a bit about the history and traditions of that branch of service. During my time in the Corps, English bulldogs became part of the Marines' distinguished history.
At one of my Vietnam War unit's reunions in Washington, D. C. last June, my wife, Kay, and I attended the Evening Parade at 8th and I Streets in Washington, D. C. We'd been there before. Near the end of the parade two bulldogs, one a private and the other a sergeant, strutted out to the thunderous applause of hundreds of spectators. They were both named Chesty. The narrator announced that Sergeant Chesty was retiring soon and Private Chesty would take his place. Unfortunately, I don't recall their lineal numbers.
When I learned about Sergeant Chesty X being a member of Post 407 in Unionville, Iowa, I had to write this story.
When Marine Corps drill instructors turn out the lights in the barracks of their platoons each night, the last words that recruits say in unison are, "Good night, Chesty, wherever you are."
Marine Corps General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller continues to be a legend in our nation's smallest fighting force, even though he died a long time ago. A veteran of many campaigns from fighting the rebels in Nicaragua and Haiti to the Korean War, General Puller earned five Navy Crosses, second only to the Medal of Honor, for his leadership and courage.
Barrel-chested, pipe smoking, and an officer of few words, Puller was no politician. The troops loved him dearly and would walk through hell for him. Many high-ranking officers feared him and were jealous of his popularity among the enlisted.
Early in his career Puller earned the name "Chesty." As the years went by, his beloved Marines were convinced that Puller's no-nonsense facial expressions and barrel-chest resembled English bulldogs. As time passed, English bulldogs became mascots throughout the Corps and most were called "Chesty."
Marine Barracks at 8th and I Street in Washington, D. C., began having English bulldogs as mascots in the 1960s and the first one was called "Chesty I." On those same grounds is the home of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The oldest continually occupied public building in Washington, D. C., it is among the few structures that survived the British assault during the war of 1812.
Screened and hand selected for duty, Barracks' Marines perform a variety of missions. They provide ceremonial and security functions in and around the National Capitol Region, including the White House.
On Friday nights throughout the summer, when weather permits, there is an Evening Parade on the grounds outside the Commandant's home. Admission is free and hundreds of tourists fill the stands. Besides "The President's Own" U. S. Marine Corps Band, the U. S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps and the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Silent Drill Team performs without a word being uttered. The crowd is mesmerized by the performances.
The Barracks' mascots, those English bulldogs through the years, are also a traditional part of those parades. During the ceremony, the handler for the "top dog" in the Marine Corps leads their Chesty across the parade grounds to the applause and cheers of the hundreds of spectators.
Sergeant Marlo G. Kunkluska's Marine Corps name was Sergeant Chesty X. An English bulldog like all the others that preceded him, Chesty X began his Marine Corps service as a private and eventually became sergeant. To my knowledge, Chesty X was never reduced in grade for disciplinary reasons.
Following my attendance at the American Legion's WIL ROG MOR Post 407 meeting on April 1 and learning about an English bulldog being a member there, I made some telephone calls for this story.
Mike and Maddy Engle were both married members of the U. S. Marine Corps. During part of their service, they were assigned to the 8th and I Street Marine Barracks in Washington, D. C. Mike was a member of the elite security platoons responsible for the National Capitol Region. He also participated in the always impressive Evening Parades and other ceremonies.
Besides her daily routine duties, Maddy also had the job of being the handler for Chesty X. That assignment involved making sure Chesty was fed, groomed, clothed and showed up at functions requiring his presence. One of those, of course, was the Evening Parades.
During our conversation, Maddy said, "I was Chesty's handler for five years. When his service was over, the Marine Corps gave him to me."
Sergeant Chesty X was given an actual honorable discharge and transferred to the Marine Corps' permanent retired list. He came home to Unionville, Iowa, and soon became a full-fledged member of Post 407.
A few years ago Chesty X passed away. Post 407 buried him with full military honors in a cemetery west of Unionville. I am told that each Memorial Day either Mike or Maddy visits the cemetery and places a small American flag next to the gravestone.
However long the Marine Corps continues to remember their legendary hero, General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, by naming an English bulldog after him, we do not know. But we now know that Post 407 in Unionville did have a distinguished veteran of the Marine Corps as a member. For five years Chesty X was the "top dog" in the Corps.
I end this story with the words that Marine drill instructors expect their recruits to say each night when the lights are turned out. "Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are."
Ellie
http://images.cnhi.zope.net/images_sizedimage_099115434/lg
By Duane Crawford
April 09, 2009 11:56 am
— As a 26-year member of the Marine Corps, I know a bit about the history and traditions of that branch of service. During my time in the Corps, English bulldogs became part of the Marines' distinguished history.
At one of my Vietnam War unit's reunions in Washington, D. C. last June, my wife, Kay, and I attended the Evening Parade at 8th and I Streets in Washington, D. C. We'd been there before. Near the end of the parade two bulldogs, one a private and the other a sergeant, strutted out to the thunderous applause of hundreds of spectators. They were both named Chesty. The narrator announced that Sergeant Chesty was retiring soon and Private Chesty would take his place. Unfortunately, I don't recall their lineal numbers.
When I learned about Sergeant Chesty X being a member of Post 407 in Unionville, Iowa, I had to write this story.
When Marine Corps drill instructors turn out the lights in the barracks of their platoons each night, the last words that recruits say in unison are, "Good night, Chesty, wherever you are."
Marine Corps General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller continues to be a legend in our nation's smallest fighting force, even though he died a long time ago. A veteran of many campaigns from fighting the rebels in Nicaragua and Haiti to the Korean War, General Puller earned five Navy Crosses, second only to the Medal of Honor, for his leadership and courage.
Barrel-chested, pipe smoking, and an officer of few words, Puller was no politician. The troops loved him dearly and would walk through hell for him. Many high-ranking officers feared him and were jealous of his popularity among the enlisted.
Early in his career Puller earned the name "Chesty." As the years went by, his beloved Marines were convinced that Puller's no-nonsense facial expressions and barrel-chest resembled English bulldogs. As time passed, English bulldogs became mascots throughout the Corps and most were called "Chesty."
Marine Barracks at 8th and I Street in Washington, D. C., began having English bulldogs as mascots in the 1960s and the first one was called "Chesty I." On those same grounds is the home of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The oldest continually occupied public building in Washington, D. C., it is among the few structures that survived the British assault during the war of 1812.
Screened and hand selected for duty, Barracks' Marines perform a variety of missions. They provide ceremonial and security functions in and around the National Capitol Region, including the White House.
On Friday nights throughout the summer, when weather permits, there is an Evening Parade on the grounds outside the Commandant's home. Admission is free and hundreds of tourists fill the stands. Besides "The President's Own" U. S. Marine Corps Band, the U. S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps and the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Silent Drill Team performs without a word being uttered. The crowd is mesmerized by the performances.
The Barracks' mascots, those English bulldogs through the years, are also a traditional part of those parades. During the ceremony, the handler for the "top dog" in the Marine Corps leads their Chesty across the parade grounds to the applause and cheers of the hundreds of spectators.
Sergeant Marlo G. Kunkluska's Marine Corps name was Sergeant Chesty X. An English bulldog like all the others that preceded him, Chesty X began his Marine Corps service as a private and eventually became sergeant. To my knowledge, Chesty X was never reduced in grade for disciplinary reasons.
Following my attendance at the American Legion's WIL ROG MOR Post 407 meeting on April 1 and learning about an English bulldog being a member there, I made some telephone calls for this story.
Mike and Maddy Engle were both married members of the U. S. Marine Corps. During part of their service, they were assigned to the 8th and I Street Marine Barracks in Washington, D. C. Mike was a member of the elite security platoons responsible for the National Capitol Region. He also participated in the always impressive Evening Parades and other ceremonies.
Besides her daily routine duties, Maddy also had the job of being the handler for Chesty X. That assignment involved making sure Chesty was fed, groomed, clothed and showed up at functions requiring his presence. One of those, of course, was the Evening Parades.
During our conversation, Maddy said, "I was Chesty's handler for five years. When his service was over, the Marine Corps gave him to me."
Sergeant Chesty X was given an actual honorable discharge and transferred to the Marine Corps' permanent retired list. He came home to Unionville, Iowa, and soon became a full-fledged member of Post 407.
A few years ago Chesty X passed away. Post 407 buried him with full military honors in a cemetery west of Unionville. I am told that each Memorial Day either Mike or Maddy visits the cemetery and places a small American flag next to the gravestone.
However long the Marine Corps continues to remember their legendary hero, General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, by naming an English bulldog after him, we do not know. But we now know that Post 407 in Unionville did have a distinguished veteran of the Marine Corps as a member. For five years Chesty X was the "top dog" in the Corps.
I end this story with the words that Marine drill instructors expect their recruits to say each night when the lights are turned out. "Goodnight, Chesty, wherever you are."
Ellie
http://images.cnhi.zope.net/images_sizedimage_099115434/lg