Chesty Puller: The Most Decorated Marine in USMC History
Born in West Point, Virginia, in 1898, Lewis "Chesty" Puller had a distinguished career in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1918 until 1955, achieving the rank of lieutenant general. He is recognized as the most decorated officer in USMC history, having received five Navy Crosses and a Distinguished Service Cross. Although he enlisted in 1918 and trained at Parris Island, he did not participate in World War I. His service included Haiti (1919–1924) and Nicaragua, where he earned two Navy Crosses. He played key roles in World War II at Guadalcanal and Peleliu, and received a Silver Star during the Korean War. After retiring in 1955 due to a stroke, he passed away on October 11, 1971. His son, Lewis Burwell Puller Jr., was a Vietnam veteran who lost both legs and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992.
Key facts
- Lewis "Chesty" Puller served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1918 to 1955, rising from private to lieutenant general.
- He earned five Navy Crosses and one Distinguished Service Cross, the most decorated officer in USMC history.
- Puller was born in 1898 in West Point, Virginia, and dropped out of Virginia Military Institute in 1918 to enlist.
- He served in Haiti from 1919 to 1924 against the Caco insurgency and in Nicaragua, earning two Navy Crosses.
- In World War II, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment at Guadalcanal in 1942.
- At Peleliu in September 1944, his 1st Marine Regiment suffered over 1,700 casualties out of 3,000 men.
- In the Korean War, he commanded the 1st Marine Regiment at Inchon, Seoul, and the Chosin Reservoir, earning a Silver Star.
- A stroke in 1955 forced his retirement; he died on October 11, 1971, and was buried with full military honors.
Entities
Artists
- Lewis "Chesty" Puller
- Augusto César Sandino
- Harry S. Truman
- Douglas MacArthur
- Oliver Smith
- Clifton Cates
- George S. Patton
- Lewis Burwell Puller Jr.
Institutions
- United States Marine Corps
- Virginia Military Institute
- US Army
- Haitian Gendarmerie
- Nicaraguan National Guard
- 1st Marine Division
- 7th Marine Regiment
- 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
- IX Corps
- 3rd Marine Division
- 2nd Marine Division
- Camp Pendleton
- Camp Lejeune
- The Collector
- US Marine Corps
- 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment
- 7th Marines
- 1st Marine Regiment
- Guardia Nacional of Nicaragua
- Parris Island
Locations
- West Point
- Virginia
- United States
- Parris Island
- South Carolina
- Haiti
- Nicaragua
- Agua Carta
- El Sauce
- Guadalcanal
- Solomon Islands
- Matanikau River
- Henderson Field
- New Britain
- Peleliu
- Palau
- Umurbrogol
- South Korea
- North Korea
- Inchon
- Seoul
- Pusan
- Wonsan
- Chosin Reservoir
- China
- 38th Parallel
- DMZ
- California
- North Carolina
- France
- Europe
- Germany
- Western Front
- American Samoa
- Australia
- Korea