By Christian Gomez
Campus Liberty Alliance
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.
— Lt. General "Chesty" Puller
Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971)
General Lewis P. “Chesty” Puller was a man whose very name, alone, resonated a daunting fear in both the US Department of Navy and his wartime enemies. Earning the respect and loyalty of his men, Chesty Puller would lead the United States in some of the bloodiest and heroic battles of World War II and the Korean War.
Upon landing on Guadalcanal, Puller led his battalion in a fierce fire-fight near the Matanikau. Cut off, surrounded and outnumbered by Imperial Japanese forces, Puller courageously ran to the shore where he signaled the United States Navy destroyer USS Monssen. The Monssen provided Puller and his men with the necessary support in order to be rescued, earning him the Bronze Star.
Outnumbered and outgunned Puller always found a way to turn the tables, defeating his enemies and escaping the jaws of defeat. While in Guadalcanal leading the 1/7 battalion, which was holding position in defense of an airfield, a full combat regiment of Japanese troops began a relentless siege on the airfield and Puller’s men. After three hours of heavy fighting, in what is now known as the Battle for Henderson Field, the 1/7 sustained only 70 casualties – a sharp contrast to the Japanese who lost over 1,400 men.
Unable to withstand any more damage, the Japanese discontinued their assault by either retreating or being captured. With his skin as thick as the iron hull of an Iowa-class battleship, Puller continued on even after being shot by two sniper rounds and wounded in three different areas. For this he was awarded the Purple Heart.
In 1944, Puller was given command of the 1st Marine Regiment, which from September to October he would lead to battle at Peleliu. This pivotal two-month-long battle is known as one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in the history of the US Marine Corps. Puller’s leadership at Peleliu earned him his first Legion of Merit award.
“It is respectfully requested that my present assignment to a combat unit be extended to the downfall of the Japanese government,” Puller wrote in a letter to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
The end of the war did not put a stop to Puller. After the Japanese dragon had been slain, the influence of the Russian bear quickly made its way to East Asia and the Korean peninsula.
Soon after the outbreak of the Korean War, Puller was once again awarded command of the 1st Marines. On September 15, 1950, Puller led the 1st in the historic Inchon landing, for which he was personally awarded the Silver Star by US Army General Douglas MacArthur.
After making his way to Puller’s command post, overlooking a battle below, MacArthur pinned the Silver Star on him for conducting for what he referred to as a “magnificent operation.” Puller grunted and replied, “Thanks. Excuse me General, if I don’t conduct you to your car. But my job is up here.”
Puller continued doing his job, earning his second Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Service Cross, and then his fifth Navy Cross for his leadership during the Battle of the Chosen Reservoir.
“Don't forget that you're First Marines! Not all the Communists in hell can overrun you,” yelled Puller to his men at the Chosin Reservoir. A young marine officer told a reporter, “I’ve never seen a guy like Chesty Puller. I’d follow him to hell, and it looks like I’m going to have to!”
While in Korea, H.D. Quigg of the UP news service said of Puller, “His face is reminiscent of that of Claire Chennault in its forcefulness. His opinions and battle tactics have the subtlety of sledgehammer.”
Quigg also reported that, on an occasion when Puller’s forces were surrounded by Chinese Communists, Puller remarked to subordinates, “Those poor bastards. They’ve got us just where we want them. We can shoot in every direction now.”
Jim Bishop, a US Marine in Korea, recalled General Puller’s reaction when “TANKS WERE standing at the Yalu River when Gen. Douglas MacArthur ordered him to retreat. It broke Chesty’s heart.”
MacArthur sought to prevent the Chinese from crossing the Yalu. He and Puller did not intend to cross the Yalu in China. Both wanted to defeat the North Koreans, Chinese and win the war, unfortunately the Washington Insiders prevailed over the better judgment of the two generals; President Truman and Secretary of State Dean Acheson abandoned the original goal of a unified free Korea and instead agreed to allow the Communists to stay in power in North Korea.
Chesty Puller exemplified an unrelenting dedication and loyalty to his fellow Marines and country, which in every way embodied the very meaning of the USMC motto ‘Semper Fidelis.’
Even at age 67, never backing down from a fight, then-retired Puller wrote a letter to Commandant Gen. Wallace M. Greene, the highest ranking officer in the US Marine Corps, requesting that he be placed on “active duty and... assigned to a combat command.” Puller made the request “in the knowledge that I am physically fit, young enough in years, and qualified by experience for further service to the U.S. Marine Corps and my country.”
Further, Puller wrote Greene, “I am tired and ashamed to look the taxpayers of the United States in the face.”
In a 1965 interview with the Associated Press, Puller openly criticized the handling of the war in Vietnam, offering his own solutions:
“In Viet Nam many things are wrong, and there are only three ways to win the war against the Communists there. First, by a full U.S. Navy blockade of the country which would halt most of the arms shipments from Communist countries. Second, forget use of helicopters and clusters and lines of fighting units and revert to attack on the Vietnamese sea coasts through use of World War II landing craft. Then, chew up the country by segments by marching regiments back and forth across its narrow boundaries. Third, place a qualified American in command of all forces – including the Vietnamese forces.”
There is no doubt that Puller had himself in mind for such a role. Looking back at the success of his amphibious landings of World War II and the Inchon landing during the Korean War, Puller knew that he possessed the experience and capability to do so again and turn the tide on Communist expansion in Southeast Asia.
Puller’s request was denied and the Vietnam War continued to drag on for another ten bloody years. Although he did not get to return to the battlefield he still to this day remains the most decorated Marine, and most admired ever, and one of the greatest generals in US history.
When asked by Campus Liberty Alliance, “As a US Marine, what does Chesty Puller mean to you?” Private First Class Matthew Gonzalez, USMC, replied “he’s the greatest Marine of all time.”
John F. McManus, President of The John Birch Society and a United States Marine Corp officer, when interviewed by Campus Liberty Alliance stated, “Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was a legendary general and is highly revered by Marines all over the world.”
“In my opinion, it is a true shame that the USMC never named a USMC Training Base/Camp after Puller,” said Captain Bruce McFarlane, USMC (retired), in a recent interview published by the United States Naval Institute.
In 1982 the US Navy, on the other hand, did commission a missile guided frigate in his honor, the USS Lewis P. Puller (FFG-23).
Marines recite at the end of their day in boot camp, “Good night, Chesty Puller, wherever you are.”
Works Cited:
Associated Press. "Gen. 'Chesty' Puller, Tough Old Marine, Dies." The Palm Beach Post. 12 Oct, 1971, p.B3
Bishop, Jim. "Chesty Puller: A U.S. Marine." Reading Eagle. 8 June, 1982, p.61
Gonzalez, Matthew J. Telephone interview. 26 June. 2010
McManus, John F. Telephone interview. 25 June. 2010.
Pendergast, Tom. "Marine Hero Says Viet Nam All Wrong." The Tuscaloosa News. 9 July, 1965, p.15
Quigg, H.D. "Hard-Bitten Chesty Puller Commands Respect of Men." Spokane Daily Chronicle. 6 Oct, 1950. p.3
"Interview with Captain Bruce McFarlane, USMC (Ret.)" U.S. Naval Institute website. 26 January, 2010. Last Accessed on 26 June 2010 at <http://blog.usni.org/2010/ 01/26/interview-with-capta in-bruce-mcfarlane-usmc-ret/>
"LtGen 'Chesty' Puller (1955)." Marine Officer website. Last accessed on 26 June 2010 at <http://officer.marines.com/marine/quality_citizens/stories_leadership/chesty_puller>
Christian Gomez is a student at Seton Hall University
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Sep 13, 2011Posted By
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