Puller, Chesty, 1898-1971

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Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) served as 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.

Puller is the most decorated Marine in American history. He is one of two United States servicemen to be awarded five Navy Crosses and one Army Distinguished Service Cross. Puller's six crosses are next in number to the seven times Eddie Rickenbacker received 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.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Brasfield, George F. George F. Brasfield, Jr., letters to his parents and medals [manuscript],, 1930-1931, 1947-1953. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Hechler, Ray, 1919-. Oral history interview with Ray Hechler, 2001 December 06. University of North Texas Library, UNT
referencedIn USU student folklore genre collection of character legends, 1960-2011 Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and ArchivesUniversity Archives
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1775 -. Official Military Personnel Files, 1905 - 1998. Official Military Personnel File for Lewis B. Puller. National Archives at St. Louis
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1775 -. Photographic Reference File, ca. 1940 - ca. 1958. Korea – Personalities. Korea – Personalities. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer, 1860 - 1985. Filmed News Releases, ca. 1951 - ca. 1964. Tribute to Chesty Puller, Various Locations. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1921 - 2008. Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files, 1982 - 2007. Major General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC (uncovered), 9/1/1953. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1921 - 2008. Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files, 1982 - 2007. Copy negative of oil portrait painting of General Chesty Puller, USMC (uncovered), 7/10/1985. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn General Records of the Department of the Navy. 1941 - 2004. Moving Images Relating to Military Activities. 1947 - 1980. CHANGE OF COMMAND, FIRST MARINE DIVISION National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1775 -. General Photograph File of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1927 - 1981. Photograph of Lt. Col. Lewis B. Puller Receiving Navy Cross from General William H. Rupertus, 4/1943. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1775 -. Photographic Reference File, ca. 1940 - ca. 1958. Korea – Personalities. Korea – Personalities. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1775 -. Photographs of World War II and Post World War II Marine Corps Activities, ca. 1939 - ca. 1958. Peleliu - [Divider #] 742 - [Code #] 49 - Officers and Officials- Inspections, Tours, Visits. Admiral Cochrane Greets Colonel Lewis B. Puller on Peleliu, 9/1944. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the U.S. Marine Corps, 1775 -. Photographs of World War II and Post World War II Marine Corps Activities, ca. 1939 - ca. 1958. Peleliu - [Divider #] 742 - [Code #] 49 - Officers and Officials- Inspections, Tours, Visits. Colonel Lewis B. Puller on Peleliu, 9/1944. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1921 - 2008. Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files, 1982 - 2007. Brigadier General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC, Assistant Commander of the 1ST Marine Division, 1/1/1951. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1921 - 2008. Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files, 1982 - 2007. Lieutenant Colonel Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC, Commanding Officer of 1ST Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment at Guadalcanal (1942), 9/1/1942. National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Records of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1921 - 2008. Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files, 1982 - 2007. Colonel Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, USMC, 9/1/1950. National Archives at College Park

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Relation Name
associatedWith Brasfield, George F. person
associatedWith Fife Folklore Archives corporateBody
associatedWith Hechler, Ray, 1919- person
acquaintanceOf Rupertus, W. H. (William Henry), 1889-1945 person
memberOf United States. Marine Corps corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Virginia VA US
Hampton VA US
Subject
Korean War, 1950-1953
Military officers
Navy Cross (Medal)
World War II, 1939-1945
Occupation
Marine Corps officers
Military officers, Retired
Activity

Person

Birth 1898-06-26

Death 1971-10-11

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Americans

English

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