He would later request to return to service only to be denied. During the entire period, Dabney's force stubbornly defended Hill 881 South, a regional outpost vital to the defense of the Khe Sanh Combat Base during the 77-day siege at the Battle of Khe Sanh. (2021, July 31). When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. (U.S. Navy photo by Bill Mesta/Released), An official website of the United States government, All Hands Magazine is produced by the Defense Media Activity for U.S. Navy Office of Information, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Promoted to his . We've finally found him. In the action, these companies were surrounded and cut off by a larger Japanese force. Puller himself said he was uncertain how he came to be nicknamed "Chesty." John Basilone) for Medals of Honor. There was a time when a professional soldier had to wait twenty-five years or so before he ever got into a war. Puller was a distant cousin to U.S. Army General George S. During the Korean War, Lewis B. In July 1954, Puller took command of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina until February 1955 when he became Deputy Camp Commander. Lewis Burwell " Chesty " Puller (June 26, 1898 - October 11, 1971) was a United States Marine Corps officer. "Fortunate Son" was published in 1991, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1992. The platform supports a variety of rotary wing aircraft. After his service in Nicaragua, Puller was assigned to the Marine detachment at the American Legation in Beijing, China, commanding a unit of China Marines. [9][7], Puller would conduct more offensive operations to suppress the Cacos. This skirmish was Puller's first engagement in the occupation and showed his adeptness at aggressive action and effective leadership from the front. His skilled leadership, superb courage and valiant devotion to duty in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the highest credit upon Colonel Puller and the United States Naval Service. Born June 26, 1898 in West Point, Virginia, Puller grew up hunting and listening to tales of the Civil War told by his relatives. After patrolling, Puller's men had encountered lone bandits on two occasions and killed them both. In this role, he took part in the Battle of Cape Gloucester in late 1943 and early 1944. On November 13, 1937, he married Virginia Montague Evans, who he had met a decade before. He also had a heavy appetite for reading, pouring through. Lewis Puller died in 1971 at the age of 73. As Puller had predicted, when the main body of men opened fire at first light, the surprised Cacos bandits fled from the source of immediate danger into the fields of fire of the machine guns, where all seventeen were killed. Burke Davis. Apparently, Puller wanted to be ready to stab the men he set on fire. [12], The Cacos rebellion collapsed altogether when a Marine patrol killed Batraville on May 19, 1920. His men knew that he had their backs because he had humped through jungles, endured the harshest of conditions, and been wounded in battle, just like them. The expeditionary sea base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) participates in a photo exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 20, 2020. [14], Puller and his Company M went out on a patrol again on November 6, 1930. Here are 17 of the best Chesty Puller quotes that show why he is beloved to this day: 1. After the division left Guadalcanal, Puller was made the executive officer of the 7th Marine Regiment. After the government forces had possession of the camp, they found one dead Caco. The Maj. Richard Star Act would eliminate the dollar-for-dollar offset on retirement pay that combat-disabled vets with less Capt. In a firefight on the night of October 2425, 1942, lasting about three hours, 1/7 and 3/164 sustained 70 casualties; the Japanese force suffered over 1,400 killed in action, and the Americans held the airfield. They advised him that daylight patrols had little chance of encountering the Cacos, as they hid during the day, only emerging from hiding to ambush government patrols if they had superior numbers. Promoted to major general in September 1953, he was given command of the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune the following July. Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee while growing up. Chesty Puller then did something remarkable. Command Senior Chief, USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), Blue Crew 12 March 2021 CMDCS Lawrence W. Comdeco CMDCS Lawrence Comdeco is a native of Blackshear, Georgia. ", In U.S. Marine Corps recruit training and OCS cadences, Marines chant "It was good for Chesty Puller/And it's good enough for me" as well as "Tell Chesty Puller I did my best. He dropped out of the Corps and re-enlisted as a private so that he would be shipped out. There are not enough chinamen in the world to stop a fully armed Marine regiment from going where ever they want to go., Benefits of firearm attachment rails and the ones you should invest in, Legends about the most decorated Marine in US history. Although the area was frequently covered by grazing machine-gun fire and intense artillery and mortar fire, he coolly moved along his troops to insure their correct tactical employment, reinforced the lines as the situation demanded, and successfully defended the perimeter, keeping open the main supply routes for the movement of the Division. In the months that followed, Puller prepared his men for war and the battalion sailed to defend Samoa. Puller was born in West Point, Virginia, to Matthew and Martha Puller. [17], In May 1939, he returned to the Augusta as commander of the on-board Marine detachment, and then back to China, disembarking in Shanghai in May 1940 to serve as the executive officer and commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4) until August 1941. Brunot and Lyautey advised Puller on how to combat the Cacos insurgents. 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. Lt. Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller was a Marines Marine. He would go on to become a well-known figure in Marine Corps folklore, with both true and exaggerated tales of his experiences being constantly recounted within the Corps. The campaign marked the beginning of his legend, and his ferocious pursuit of more numerous enemies earned him his first Navy Cross. Huey Lewis 1967 - Musician/singer; Horace Porter 1854 - Brigadier General in Civil War, Medal of Honor Winner, Grant's White House Secretary . Interested in military matters from a young age, he attempted to join the U.S. Army in 1916 to take part in the Punitive Expedition to capture Mexican leader Pancho Villa. Lieutenant General Puller broke down sobbing at seeing his son for the first time in the hospital. Puller grew up listening to old veterans' tales of the American Civil War and idolizing Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. Puller, son of the late and legendary Lewis Burwell 'Chesty' Puller, lost both legs and parts of his hands in Vietnam 19 years ago, where as a Marine platoon leader he won the Silver Star, a. And the legendary stories go on and on. We're surrounded. Puller led American Marines and Nicaraguan National Guardsmen into battle against Sandinista rebels in the last major engagement of the Sandino Rebellion near El Sauce on December 26, 1932. Colonel Puller's actions contributed materially to the breakthrough of the First Marine Regiment in the Chosin Reservoir area and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service. In addition to his military awards Puller has received numerous honors due to his Marine Corps service: Following his retirement Puller lived in Saluda, Virginia, where he was later buried after his death on October 11, 1971, at Christ Church Cemetery next to his wife.[33]. Pullers legendary tactics earned him the respect of Marines everywhere. Later they were redeployed from the brigade and on September 4, 1942, they left Samoa and rejoined the 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal on September 18, 1942. They would stay out ten days, at which time another group would relieve them. Related content:Sound Off: Should Chesty Puller Finally Get the Medal ofHonor? "Chesty is symbolic of the esprit de corps of the Marines. ", Puller insisted upon good equipment and discipline; once he came upon a second lieutenant who had ordered an enlisted man to salute him 100 times for missing a salute. Stonewall Jackson, two military leaders who won battle after battle despite the odds against them. The 3rd Battalion of the U.S. Army's 164th Infantry Regiment (3/164) fought alongside the Marines. He thanks you for reading his content. Puller, Brunot, and Jean Louis were able to infiltrate the Cacos camp and came upon a clearing with many huts and lean-tos. He was given the Distinguished Service Cross from the Army for action from November 29 to December 5 of that same year, and his fifth Navy Cross for action during December 510 at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Along the way, Puller became the most decorated Marine in the history of the Corps. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Puller was once again assigned as commander of the 1st Marine Regiment. A priest told Brunot that a high ranking Cacos insurgent leader named Dominique Georges had a camp about fifteen miles away. Puller later participated in more patrols as he gained experience and learned the peculiarities of small wars. "[5] Inspired by the 5th Marines at Belleau Wood, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a private and attended boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. He remained calm under pressure while coordinating the attack. He disobeyed a direct order, aware that complying would leave another unit of men completely defenseless. ), (Puller said the gem above after being asked to comment on the 22 Chinese divisions surrounding his First Marine division. The fifth and final Navy Cross was awarded after the legendary Marine defended supply routes in Korea in 1950. Passing through the course at Quantico, Virginia, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant on June 16, 1919. A family friend who spoke on condition of anonymity said Puller shot himself. After traveling a long distance, the patrol came by the northwest from the bank of Auyabal river. Brunot spotted a Caco force that turned out to be Batraville's, but before Brunot could get his force into position for an attack, the Cacos broke camp and melted away. Further operations against the Cacos, OctoberNovember 1919, Infiltrating and raiding a Cacos camp, November 4, 1919, Further operations, June 12-July 12, 1930, Attempted ambush against the rebels, further pursuit, and raiding a rebel camp, November 627, 1930, Patrol and Raid against the rebels September 2026, 1932, Final battle in Nicaragua 26 December 1932, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, List of historically notable United States Marines, "Gen. Chesty Puller Dies; Most Decorated Marine", "Valor awards for Edward Vernon Rickenbacker", "The Marine's Marine, Chesty Puller, Wonders How He Got His Nickname, and Mentions His Famous Service at Guadalcanal", "Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, who died in 1971 at age 73, is one of the most decorated Marines of all time, earning five Navy Crosses over the course of his 37-year career. By his tireless devotion to duty and cool judgment under fire, he prevented a hostile penetration of our lines and was largely responsible for the successful defense of the sector assigned to his troops. Perhaps someday, Chesty Pullers family will get to see him receive the nations highest military honor. He was old-style, the kind of soldier who insisted on leading his men from the front. Lt. Gen. Lewis Chesty Puller served in the Marines for 30 years, beginning as an enlisted man and rising to one of the highest ranks in the military. Early in the combat, Gunnery Sergeant Lee, the Second in Command, was seriously wounded and reported as dead. The Sandinistas opened fire on the patrol and the patrol returned fire. On September 26, Puller's patrol was ambushed by the rebels. Lewis Burwell Puller was born in West Point,Virginia, on June 26, 1898. He talked the talk, but he also walked the walk when it came to the best chances of survival for men under his command. His men were in unfamiliar territory and surrounded by dense, thick jungle. [11], After the successful assassination of Charlemagne Pralte by Herman H. Hanneken in a raid, Benot Batraville became the next leader of the Cacos. Puller, Brunot, and Private Cermontout Jean Louis scouted out ahead of the small column during the night when they came upon the remains of a bonfire, indicating a bandit guard post. For his efforts in mid-1930, he was awarded the Navy Cross. The ship is capable of executing additional missions including counter-piracy, maritime security, and humanitarian and disaster relief. On both of the occasions the enemy was dispersed with severe losses. 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Puller idolized Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. Chenoweth. With the island secured, Puller returned to the U.S. in November to lead the Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Lejeune. Now we are going to earn it.. Hershel "Woody" Williams is on its inaugural deployment in the U.S. Just before dawn they found a camp and attacked it. His forceful leadership and gallant fighting spirit under the most hazardous conditions were contributing factors in the defeat of the enemy during this campaign and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Holding back massive Japanese attacks, Puller won a third Navy Cross for his performance, while one his men, Staff Sergeant John Basilone, received the Medal of Honor. But this badass had one soft spothis fierce loyalty and care for his men. "Chesty" Puller's battlefield heroics from Nicaragua, World War II and Korea, earned him five Navy Crosses and near divine reverence among Marines past and present. He completed his tour of duty as assistant commander and left for the United States on May 20, 1951. Then, read about how Calvin Graham became World War IIs youngest decorated veteran. The Guardia encountered six rebels who may have been Sandinistas and a firefight occurred. He lived in Virginia and died in 1971 at age 73. Puller ordered a charge and spurred his horse forward to attack the Cacos. It may have been a reference to his big, thrust-out chest; "chesty" in the Marines also means "cocky." Puller and Jean Louis took firing positions on the ground after Puller sent Brunot to gather the rest of the patrol to assault the camp. The expeditionary sea base (ESB) ships add. Some say Puller got his famous nickname because of his big, thrust-out chest; the myth was that the original had been shot away and the new chest was a steel plate. Chesty Pullers no-nonsense attitude shone through. When war was declared with Germany at the start of World War I, Puller was 17 and he accepted an appointment to Virginia Military Institute as a state cadet, receiving financial assistance in return for later service. All rights reserved. He enlisted in the United. He saw combat on the Matanikau River and at. He is considered the most decorated Marine in Marine Corps history. Virginia Humanities acknowledges the Monacan Nation, the original people of the land and waters of our home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Puller placed the main body of men in a line facing the bandit camp and sent the smaller crews with three Lewis machine guns to the flank in a position where they covered the enemy rear, setting an L-shaped ambush. It was during that battle that he said the famous line, "We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. An afloat forward staging base-variant of the mobile landing platform designed to provide dedicated support for air mine countermeasures and special warfare missions. Pullers men were ambushed twice more during that same 10-day patrol. Lewis Puller Jr., son of "Chesty" Puller -- the most decorated Marine in history, a man who had covered himself with glory from Guadalcanal to Inchon -- had been married five months when an. In January 1951, Puller was promoted to brigadier general and was assigned duty as assistant division commander (ADC) of the 1st Marine Division. Lewis B. During this time, when the battalion commanders of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (3/7) and later, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5), were under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, he expertly reorganized the battalion and led the successful attack against heavily fortified Japanese defensive positions. In combat, he rigidly refused comforts unattainable for his men, and in training, he carried his own pack and bedding roll while marching at the head of his battalion. Lewis B. Puller, Jr. - Pulitzer Prize Winner; Malcolm Campbell - Former Publisher, SPIN Magazine; . He was assigned, instead, to train recruits in South Carolina. Remaining until October 1932, Puller won a second Navy Cross for his performance against the insurgents. Puller's large group operated for nearly two more weeks, often split into two patrols with one following the other at a distance. 4.8 out of 5 stars. In the years after World War II, Puller oversaw a variety of commands including the 8th Reserve District and the Marine Barracks at Pearl Harbor. Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr picked up a gun one afternoon last May and killed himself. The patrol moved by day and camped each night in a village. CHESAPEAKE BAY (Sept. 15, 2019) The Military Sealift Command expeditionary sea base USNS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) is at anchor in the Chesapeake Bay, Sept. 15, 2019 during mine countermeasure equipment testing. Facebook gives people the power to. He then took over Troop Training Unit Pacific at Coronado, California. He then went on to serve aboard USSAugusta, a cruiser in the Asiatic Fleet, which was commanded by then-Captain Chester W. Nimitz. At Santa Fe, Puller picked up an additional fifteen Guardias. He lived with his men. NORFOLK (July 10, 2017) The Military Sealift Command expeditionary mobile base USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3) departs Naval Station Norfolk for its first operational deployment. "World War II and Korean War: Lieutenant General Lewis "Chesty" Puller." On February 24, however, his immediate superior, Major General O.P. After a firefight of one hour and ten minutes, the Marines and Guardia Nacional were able to drive off the rebels. Wikimedia Commons Chesty Puller with Maj. Gen. James McMasters and Maj. Gen. Herman Nickerson at Camp Pendleton in 1962. He ordered his men to charge the high ground to the right, and when they succeeded in taking the stronger position, he then used his leverage to overtake the rebel encampment to the left. Without hesitation, Puller dashed up the rise while yelling for his men to charge. Lt. Gen. Lewis B. ), Follow Sean Mclain Brown on Twitter at @seanmclainbrown. In late October, Puller's battalion played a key role during the Battle of Guadalcanal. The reinforced unit finally returned to base on July 12. Returning to the U.S. in March 1924, he was successful in obtaining a commission as a second lieutenant. The most-decorated Marine in history, he earned five Navy Crosses, the U.S. Navys second-highest decoration, for fighting in Nicaragua, at Guadalcanal and in New Guinea during World War II (19391945), and at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War (19501953). Puller, Lee, and the Guardia left on September 20. An expedition of eight American marines and 64 Nicaraguan National Guardsmen led by Puller were sent to El Sauce on the 26 December 1932. Puller was in his early 50s when the Korean War began and already a legend in the Corps. Member From: 1992 - 1999 Birth Date: 1945 Birth Place: Cedar Rapids, IA Gender: Female Race: Caucasian Spouse: Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr. - son of United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General Chesty Puller. Puller's patrol found two rifles, one pistol, and ten machetes. Lieutenant General Puller is the only Marine to ever be awarded five. After learning about Chesty Puller, check out the story of John Rabe and the Nazis who defended China from the Japanese. Underage at the time, Puller was blocked by his mother who refused to consent to his enlistment. After stints in China, Chesty Puller returned to the United States to command the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. Patton. At June 24, Puller, William "Ironman" Lee, and their men joined forces with another government patrol of thirty men under the command of Lieutenant M.K. In the afternoon of June 4, the company was at San Antonio cooking a steer in preparation for a trek into the uninhabited area around Mt. When World War II began, Puller was commanding the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment at New River (later renamed Camp Lejeune), North Carolina, and was sent with his unit to Guadalcanal in the summer of 1942. This patrol was ambushed on 26 September 1932, at a point northeast of Mount Kilambe by an insurgent force of one hundred fifty in a well-prepared position armed with not less than seven automatic weapons and various classes of small arms and well-supplied with ammunition. He then traveled to China to take command of the famous Horse Marines guarding American settlements around Beijing, but was recalled to the United States to teach at the Marine Officers Basic School at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1936. USS Makin Island (LHD-8), front, expeditionary sea base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) and the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7) sail in formation . 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Lewis B. In order to obtain medical care for the wounded, Puller immediately withdrew back to Jinotega. We're surrounded. In sub-zero temperatures, Puller commanded his men against much larger enemy forces on three separate occasions. The Lewis Puller is based on the Alaska -class double hulled oil tankers, which have a 1.3 million barrel capacity in their unmodified configuration. 141106-N-EW716-001 SAN DIEGO (Nov. 6, 2014) The mobile landing platform Lewis B. Puller (T-MLP-3/T-AFSB-1) is the first afloat forward staging base (AFSB) variant of the MLP and is optimized to support a variety of maritime missions. His grandfather was a veteran who fought for the Confederacy during the U.S. Civil War. Pullers leadership is one of the reasons why to this day, Marine Corps officers in the field never eat until the enlisted men have been served. In 1919, he graduated from Officer Training School as a second lieutenant but was immediately placed on the inactive list because of postwar troop reductions. "Chesty" Puller returns to China as the executive officer of the 2nd Battalion of the 4th Marine Regiment in Shanghai. He suffered a stroke,[25] and was retired by the Marine Corps on November 1, 1955, with a promotion to lieutenant general. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Original photo: US Marine Corps 2. With the outbreak of the Korean War, Puller again took command of the 1st Marine Regiment. "Chesty" Puller (MCSN: 0-3158), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while Commanding the First Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces during the amphibious landing resulting in the capture of Inchon, Korea, on 15 September 1950 in the Inchon-Seoul Operation. After five years, Puller again earned his rank of second lieutenant. A second cousin of General George S. Patton and the grandson of a Confederate veteran, Puller came from a military family and idolized the likes of Thomas J. Help was 100 miles away, and the men were in the middle of a 10-day patrol of outlying areas. Even though another unit came in to relieve Pullers regiment at dawn, he stayed in command until noon to help coordinate the next wave of Marines. The Guardia immediately behind Lieutenant Puller in the point was killed by the first burst of fire, Lieutenant Puller, with great courage, coolness and display of military judgment, so directed the fire and movement of his men that the enemy were driven first from the high ground on the right of his position, and then by a flanking movement forced from the high ground to the left and finally were scattered in confusion with a loss of ten killed and many wounded by the persistent and well-directed attack of the patrol. Timothy Clegg. https://www.thoughtco.com/lieutenant-general-lewis-chesty-puller-2360506 (accessed March 2, 2023). By his unflagging determination, he served to inspire his men to heroic efforts in defense of their positions and assured the safety of much valuable equipment which would otherwise have been lost to the enemy. The marines and gendarmes rushed forward, but the estimated two hundred Cacos scattered, with Puller and Jean Louis firing as fast as they could at fleeing figures. [28] In a handwritten addition to a typed 22 November 1954 letter to Major Frank C. Sheppard, Puller wrote, "I agree with you 100%. [35], The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star (Army Award) to Colonel Lewis B. Hickman, Kennedy. In August 1941, Puller, now a major, departed China to take command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines at Camp Lejeune. For his efforts during the landings, Puller won the Silver Star and a second Legion of Merit. Finishing the campaign, Puller's men sailed for the Russell Islands in April before preparing for the Battle of Peleliu. Chesty Puller earned his fourth Navy Cross in 1943 in Papua New Guinea. ThoughtCo, Jul. Plagued by decaying health, Puller was forced to retire on November 1, 1955. After a two-year tour at Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Puller was assigned to Nicaragua, where he earned the first of his five Navy Crosses while fighting rebels led by Augusto Sandino. Puller is deploying to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. Navy and allied military efforts in the region. Lewis Puller said, We are the most fortunate of men. [26], His nickname was related to the way his barrel chest stood out due to his aggressive stance,[27] with legends claiming that a steel plate had been inserted by surgeons to treat a battle wound. Puller was wounded himself on November 8, 1942, suffering arm and leg wounds during a Japanese attack on his command post. He remained in this role until returning to the United States in May. Gen. George S. Patton was his second cousin. Mass Market Paperback. Puller and his Guardia were able to avoid being hit by small arms fire and crude improvised grenades thrown by the rebels. Lee and Thomas J. Chenoweth Sergeant Lee, the Marines played a key role during the landings Puller! By the northwest from the front during the Battle of Guadalcanal service only to be nicknamed `` Chesty Puller! Pay that combat-disabled vets with less Capt legendary Marine defended supply routes in Korea in 1950 of! The action, these companies were surrounded and cut off by a larger Japanese force men against much enemy. The landings, Puller and his Guardia were able to avoid being hit small. Gunnery Sergeant Lee, and won the Pulitzer Prize Winner ; Malcolm Campbell - Publisher. 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For Biography in 1992 the best Chesty Puller Finally Get the Medal ofHonor relief! Again earned his fourth Navy Cross was awarded after the division left Guadalcanal Puller. In 1950 executive officer of the camp, they found one dead Caco small! And Lyautey advised Puller on how to combat the Cacos rebellion collapsed altogether when a Marine patrol killed on. Area of operations in support of U.S. Navy and allied military efforts in the Fleet. Leading his men to charge November 8, 1942, suffering arm leg. Accessed March 2, 2023 ) direct order, aware that complying would leave unit... Himself on November 6, 1930 Nacional were able to drive off the rebels March 2, 2023.... Stay out ten days, at which time another group would relieve them collapsed when... Re-Enlisted as a second lieutenant to the U.S. in March 1924, he was commissioned as a private so he. ] [ 7 ], Puller again took command of the 1st Marine Regiment moved day. 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First Navy Cross for his efforts during the landings, Puller became most!