Chesty Puller by Avi Heiligman

Forgotten Her es The Most Decorated Marine

By Avi Heiligman

The average rank and file soldier, sailor, airman or marine rarely gets any recognition unless he or she does something extraordinary in battle. The entire career of Marine Corps legend Chesty Puller was extraordinary and anything but average. He is famous for partaking in three wars and was involved in some of the most intense battles in Marine Corps history. He didn’t just fight the enemy – he led his units with a vigor that usually resulted in victory.

Puller started as an enlisted marine and ended his career as a lieutenant general, earning many awards and recognitions along the way. He is also remembered for some memorable quotes that inspired the marines around him to victory.

Lewis Burwell Puller was born in West Point, Virginia, and grew up with tales from the Civil War and colorful Confederate General Stonewall Jackson. After spending time at the Virginia Military Academy for about a year, Puller left because he wanted “to go where the guns are.” The year was 1918 – the final year of World War I – although Puller never saw action during that war. He attended non-commissioned officer school in 1919 and then officer school, graduating as a second lieutenant. However, since the marines reduced their numbers, Puller’s rank was reduced to corporal although he was soon promoted.

Chest saw action in many battles while fighting a wide range of enemies that included guerillas (irregular warfare combatants), Japanese, and communists. During the Banana Wars (a series of conflicts involving the United States in Central America that lasted from 1898 to 1934), Puller saw action in Haiti and Nicaragua. Puller was the commander of the 1st, Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment during World War II and fought against the Japanese on Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu. As the commander of the 1st Marine Regiment during the Korean War, he led his men in the landing at Inchon, the Second Battle of Seoul, and at the Chosin Reservoir.

The first action that Puller saw was in Haiti, and it was to deliver supplies to two small towns. His small force of American-trained local fighters was able to defeat an ambush of enemy fighters that was four times the size of his unit. The going was sluggish due to the pack animals that they were responsible for, but Puller

was able to complete the supply run despite the attack.

Less than 7,000 have been awarded the Navy Cross for heroism in battle, with Puller being awarded the decoration five times. The first time was in Nicaragua in 1930 when he led units from the Nicaraguan National Guard in battle against larger groups of bandits. Puller disregarded his own safety and skillfully led his units in a rout of the enemy. As was usual with Puller, he always led by example and was on the front lines with his men. Two years later, he was still in the country and earned his second Navy Cross while on patrol in the mountains. Again, they were outnumbered, and when the commanding officer was taken out, Puller took command. He effectively scattered the enemy and overpowered two other larger forces while on the return trip.

In the years following his Central American deployment, Puller was sent to China to command the marine detachment in Beijing. He then served on a cruiser, and then was back in the U.S. as an instructor, and returned to China in 1940 as the executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.

In the months leading up to Pearl Harbor and the start of the American involvement in World War II, Puller

was given command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

Japanese forces were invading and capturing Allied bases with ease during the first six months of the Pacific war. The marines were called in to turn the tide during the American invasion of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Now a lieutenant colonel, Puller was on the front lines with his battalion along the Matanikau River when they were cut off by a larger Japanese force. He called in naval fire support while a group of landing craft rescued the trapped marines. Puller received the Bronze Star for his actions during the battle. He also earned his third Navy Cross of his career at the Battle of Henderson Field. The marines under his command successfully defended the airfield from a regiment-sized Japanese attack. Throughout the night, the Japanese sent waves of soldiers in coordinated attacks (not Banzai charges) that were met with stiff American resistance led by Puller.

Later in the Pacific theater, Puller was awarded his fourth Navy Cross for action during the Battle of Gloucester. The commanders of other marine battalions had been wounded, and the unit was under heavy attack. Puller took control of the situation and reorganized the battalions for a successful attack against the Japanese. He exposed himself to heavy enemy fire from fortified Japanese positions and commanded the attack from the front. On Peleliu, Puller led the 1st Marine Regiment in a drawnout, bloody battle on the coral island.

The most decorated marine in American history was also present during the Korean War. Puller earned the Silver Star for commanding the 1st Marine Regiment during the invasion of Inchon in September 1950. A couple of months later, he was awarded his fifth Navy Cross for actions at Koto-ri, Korea.

The origins of the nickname Chesty are unclear but some say it came from when stuck his chest out while shouting commands. One marine said that they didn’t need sophisticated communications when it came to Puller, “Chesty yells commands up and down the line. You can hear him for miles.”

Less than 7,000 have been awarded the Navy Cross for heroism in battle, with Puller being awarded the decoration five times.

Chesty, second from left, with the senior staff of the 7th

Marines in 1944 General McArthur with Chesty Puller, left During the Korean War

Chesty was known for his quotes both on and off the battlefield. At the Chosin Reservoir he was quoted, “We’ve been looking for the enemy for some time now. We’ve finally found him. We’re surrounded. That simplifies things.” In a similar quote, he said, “They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29 to 1. They can’t get away from us now!” He was also famous for giving this piece of dating advice: “Son, when the Marine Corps wants you to have a wife, you will be issued one.” Here is one more quote that sums up his battlefield style: “You don’t hurt ‘em, if you don’t hit ‘em.”

After the Korean War, Chesty was given command of the 2nd Marine Division and retired in 1955. His acts of valor on the battlefield stood out with the men serving under him as they were used to commanders serving from the rear. Always giving encouragement under the harshest of conditions, Chesty never backed down from completing the mission.

He died in 1971 and is still well remembered in the Marine Corps for his leadership and bravery. His name is symbolic for the esprit de corps.

Avi Heiligman is a weekly contributor to The Jewish Home. He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future columns and can be reached at aviheiligman@gmail.com.