Marine Time Machine | The Loss of a Legend

On October 11, 1971, the Marine Corps lost a legend. Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, more famously known as Chesty Puller, was the most decorated Marine in Marine Corps history. Including five Navy Crosses, two Legions of Merit, a Silver Star and a Distinguished Service Cross. Chesty Puller enlisted in 1918, after attending Virginia Military Institute for a year, hoping to fight in the first World War, but was assigned to train recruits in South Carolina instead, so he didn't get his chance. In 1919, he graduated from Officer Training School as a 2nd Lieutenant. But was immediately put on the inactive list because of troop reductions after the war. Chesty reenlisted as a Corporal and deployed to Haiti for five years, until he received his commission again in 1924. Chesty Puller lead Marines during some of the Corps' biggest moments in history such as the Guadalcanal campaign, the battle of Peleliu, and the Chosin Reservoir, to name a few. Chesty Puller was forced to retire as a Lieutenant General on November 1, 1955. After 37 years of service, due to health concerns. He did, however, later request to return to service for Vietnam but sadly was denied. The Corps may have lost a legend on October 11, 1971, but his legacy and motivation for the Corps will never be forgotten.

Channel: Marines

Views: 261,564

Keywords: Marines, Marine Corps, usmc, united states marines, united states marine corps, marine corps, military, armed forces, jarhead, leatherneck, devil dog, first to fight, the few, the proud, Marine (military)

Id: YaKWxLQIMS4

Length: 1min 28sec (88 seconds)

Published: Wed Oct 11 2017