The life of the tough-as-nails Marine who compiled an unmatched fighting record from the jungles of the Banana Wars and Guadalcanal, and from Peleliu to the Chosin Reservoir.
A tough man. I was a Marine so my story doesn't attempt to take from this great and brave man at all. It's just a story. We used to call the five pack Chesterfield cigarettes in C-Rats Chestypullers. How dry were they? Pull one out and sometimes all you had was paper and the tobacco still in the pack. Or put one in your mouth and a wind come up. It would empty the paper of tobacco right now. If you remember Chesterfield were long. If you happened to get one lit you got about four or five good draws and it was gone.
Also, a fellow Marine saw Chesty Puller's son hit the booby trap that blew his legs off. He was watching the sons column coming toward him and boom. He had no idea it was Chesty's son at the time.
Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller is venerated today as the "Marine's Marine," but back then he had rivals whose knives came out upon occasion. Puller won five Navy Crosses, and according to those with him in the field, deserved the Medal of Honor several times over. Those secret rivals and naysayers, jealous of his success and notoriety, torpedoed his chances for the highest award for valor that the nation bestows. Puller didn't care and kept on doing what he did best - leading Marines in combat. He ranks with the very finest military leaders this nation has produced, and is a legend in the Corps for very good reason.
An old friend served with General Puller on different tours. While his son was hospitalized at Bethesda, the General asked his friend to favor both with a visit to air recovery. After the death of Lewis Sr., my friend told me of his visit. In view of the severity of his wounds, I was taken aback and saddened by my friend’s view that young Puller had “given up” and leaned toward the anti-war bunch. Now these Marines have all passed. My friend was an outstanding Marine, husband, father, and friend.
Spent a couple years on USS Lewis B. Puller FFG-23. There was a shadow box mounted on the mess decks bulkhead with his medals and ribbons. Visiting Marines treated it like a shrine.
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That was great, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteA tough man. I was a Marine so my story doesn't attempt to take from this great and brave man at all. It's just a story. We used to call the five pack Chesterfield cigarettes in C-Rats Chestypullers. How dry were they? Pull one out and sometimes all you had was paper and the tobacco still in the pack. Or put one in your mouth and a wind come up. It would empty the paper of tobacco right now. If you remember Chesterfield were long. If you happened to get one lit you got about four or five good draws and it was gone.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a fellow Marine saw Chesty Puller's son hit the booby trap that blew his legs off. He was watching the sons column coming toward him and boom. He had no idea it was Chesty's son at the time.
A Marine's Marine..
ReplyDeleteJD
Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller is venerated today as the "Marine's Marine," but back then he had rivals whose knives came out upon occasion. Puller won five Navy Crosses, and according to those with him in the field, deserved the Medal of Honor several times over. Those secret rivals and naysayers, jealous of his success and notoriety, torpedoed his chances for the highest award for valor that the nation bestows. Puller didn't care and kept on doing what he did best - leading Marines in combat. He ranks with the very finest military leaders this nation has produced, and is a legend in the Corps for very good reason.
ReplyDeleteChesty Puller 5 foot six got more kicks than a dynamite stick-D
ReplyDeleteAn old friend served with General Puller on different tours. While his son was hospitalized at Bethesda, the General asked his friend to favor both with a visit to air recovery.
ReplyDeleteAfter the death of Lewis Sr., my friend told me of his visit. In view of the severity of his wounds, I was taken aback and saddened by my friend’s view that young Puller had “given up” and leaned toward the anti-war bunch. Now these Marines have all passed. My friend was an outstanding Marine, husband, father, and friend.
Our last words every night in boot camp: "Good night, Chesty...wherever you are." S/F!
ReplyDeleteSpent a couple years on USS Lewis B. Puller FFG-23. There was a shadow box mounted on the mess decks bulkhead with his medals and ribbons. Visiting Marines treated it like a shrine.
ReplyDelete