Chesty Puller
Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) was a United States Marine Corps officer. Beginning his career fighting guerillas in Haiti and Nicaragua as part of the Banana Wars, he later served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War as a senior officer. By the time of his retirement in 1955, he had reached the rank of lieutenant general.
Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell Puller | |
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Puller in 1950 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Chesty" |
| Born | June 26, 1898 West Point, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 1971 (aged 73) Hampton, Virginia, U.S. |
| Buried | Christ Church Cemetery Christchurch, Middlesex County, Virginia |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1918–1955 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | 1st Marine Division |
| Commands held | 2nd Marine Division 3rd Marine Division 1st Marines 1st Battalion, 7th Marines 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines |
| Battles/wars |
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| Awards | Navy Cross (5) Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit w/ "V" Device (2) Bronze Star Medal w/ "V" Device Air Medal (3) Purple Heart |
| Spouse(s) | Virginia Montague Evans |
| Relations | Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr. (son) Virginia Puller Dabney (daughter) William H. Dabney (son-in-law) |
Puller is the most decorated Marine in American history. He was awarded five Navy Crosses and one Distinguished Service Cross. With six crosses, Puller is second behind Eddie Rickenbacker for citations of the nation's second-highest military award for valor. Puller retired from the Marine Corps in 1955, after 37 years of service. He lived in Virginia and died in 1971 at age 73.