NathanUnfathomable Bravery
Puller became an executive officer of the 7th Marine Regiment after this epic airfield battle. In the month of January in 1944, his courage was exhibited once more in the Pacific. With his men, he did something truly commendable once again. Puller and his crew were faced with the Japanese machine guns and mortar fire at the Battle of Cape Gloucester in the New Guinea region. The lieutenant colonel pulled off a counteroffensive, that managed to earn him Navy Cross number 4. His dreams came true during his next battle…
Loved Ones Lost
Puller took command of the 1st Marine Regiment during the battle in Peleliu which resulted in one of the most intense battles ever to be recorded in the Marine Corps history. He went on to get one of the two Legion of Merit awards he would receive. They hand out this award to men who have shown outstanding meritorious conduct. His battles were not all something to celebrate about as his brother Samuel D. Puller was sniped by the enemies in Guam. Puller had to go back home right after. Though this war was indeed eventful and something to remember, his iconic battles were far from over.
People Person
Chesty Puller resided with his men as there were no officers’ messes in his units. Puller rejected all the luxuries he was entitled to and decided to eat and live like the men he commanded. The tradition for the Marine officers to have their food last originated from Puller ways. He once sent a soldier back to the division headquarters while he was on patrol, letting him carry a note. The runner inquired if there was anything he could bring back for the colonel. “Well, old man,” Puller responded, “Get soap, tobacco and mail for the men.”
For The Wounded
Puller showed concern and interest in troops that were not even from his unit area. Every man who ever had to go to military jail would return to him after serving their respective time and they would mostly stop going to military jail after. He would even drop in to visit his men at the hospital. The men wounded due to the 1st Battalion was given a personal letter from Puller which says: “The officers and men of the 1st Battalion, Seventh Marines, recall with pride the part that you played in our success against the enemy until you received your injury in action.”
‘The Perfect Soldier’
Puller was not just celebrated recently, in fact, he had been a favorite even during the time of his service. Reminiscing about the battle on Guadalcanal where Puller had been wounded, Sergeant Leopold Jupiter, the then Marine Combat Correspondent spoke about Chesty Puller calling him an ideal Marine. “On Guadalcanal where heroes are made, I have found a man whom many call ‘the perfect soldier,’” Jupiter explained, “I picture my perfect soldier to be an inspiring leader of men, a fighting fool, a kind and tolerant officer, and above all, a fearless warrior.” Puller did not stop there just yet…
Second Major War
By the time November of 1944 came, puller had to make his return back home in the United States to take charge of the Infantry Training Regiment based at Camp Lejeune, in Jacksonville, North Carolina. This happened just a few months after his brother died. Being trained by him alone would be an honor. Following World War II there were commands that came in from New Orleans and at Pearl Harbor. The Korean War commenced by June 1950, that gave Puller and the U.S. Marines another chance to prove themselves.