Berwell Puller: The Heart Of The Marine Corps

834 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The importance of leadership in the marine corps

Lieutenant General Lewis Berwell Puller: The Heart of the Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps, established in 1775, is known for their production of the strongest offensive soldiers that defend our country. Their training includes amplified endurance, multiple styles of hand to hand combat, and artillery accuracy. Marines are trained to be the steel of the front lines that cut through and push back enemy lines. The branch rose to this dedication primarily in the 1940-50s thanks to one warrior-leader’s dedication to his country and men in his command. Lieutenant Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is the prime model of every marine due to his dedication to service, desire to better his men through training and education, and the instilment of esprit de corps. Lewis B. Puller was born June 26, 1898 in West Point, VA, to Matthew and Martha Puller (Hickman). The boy learned responsibility early on when his father died when he was ten, leaving Lewis to help his mother earn money for the family. His interest was on military at an early age, wishing to join the US Army in 1916 but was unable to since he was underage and did not receive his mother’s consent. 1917 led him to the Virginia Military Institute where he had the opportunity to see a Marine Corps display. He abandoned his studies and joined the Marines instead. Chesty’s dedication to serving his country made him stand out as a warrior-leader, a soldier to led by example. The military forces had to downsize after WWII, making Chesty an inactive member. He remained loyal until he was brought active again where his career was ripe with opportunity to serve. Chesty spent 27 of 37 active duty years at sea or overseas, holding the title of the most navy crosses a marine has earned f... ... middle of paper ... ...anch, can admire. Puller’s heart and dedication should fuel the actions of today. References Hickman, K. (n.d.). World war II/Korean War: Lieutenant General Lewis "Chesty" Puller. Retrieved from http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/WorldWarIILeaders/p/World-War-Ii-Korean-War-Lieutenant-General-Lewis-Chesty-Puller.htm Kellet, A. (1982). Combat motivation. (pp. 41-42). Boston, MA: Kluwer-Nijhoff Publishing. Patrick, B. K. (n.d.). Lt. gen. lewis berwell puller. Retrieved from http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent?file=ML_puller_bkp Quintrall, M. M. L. (1998). The chesty puller paragon: Leadership dogma or model doctrine. (Master's thesis, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College). Salmoni, D. B. A., & Holmes-Eber, D. P. (2008).Operational culture for the warfighter: Principles and applications. (p. Foreward). Quantico, Virginia: Marine Corpse University.

Show More
Related

  • Edsons and Carlsons Raiders

    2562 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Marine Corps today has developed itself into an elite fighting force based on strong naval traditions. The basic Marine is amphibious, which means that the warrior is capable of fighting on land and sea. The idea of an amphibious landing was developed through the training of the Marine Raider Battalions, which was tested and perfected in combat. Although there were two Raider Commanders with very different views on how to prepare their marines, Evans Carlson and Merritt Edson were responsible for training lightly armed Marines for amphibious assaults.

    Read More

  • Captain Bill Barber's The Last Stand Of Fox Company

    627 Words  | 2 Pages

    As Marines, we have a well-known motto “One Team, One Fight” that creates an image of strong unity that everyone regardless of rank or size plays an important role. Everyone is necessary to complete the mission. In this book, one particular Marine, (then) Captain Bill Barber, has a story that since has become a crucial tool used as teaching material today for multi-level Marines everywhere. This book serves as a testimony to Captain Barber’s will in the midst of extreme opposition and sets the example of the for mentioned mindset

    Read More

  • A History of the 714th Tank Battalion

    3836 Words  | 8 Pages

    The men of the 714th Tank Battalion served their country in its greatest time of need. A key element of the 12th Armored Division, the 714th fought in harsh conditions against a desperate German enemy for five consecutive months, driving the Nazi Armies from France and back into the German heartland.

    Read More

  • Essay On Marine Corps Traditions

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to Nofi, “The United States Marine Corps is America's best-known military unit and perhaps the most famous in the world” . The traditions of the Marine Corps date way back since 1775 and the current regulations have been derived from the way marines in the past carried out their day to day activities. Some customs have been incorporated into the current orders and regulations to be able to standardize conduct of the marines. It is important for a marine to know and keep in mind traditional customs because one should never forget their heritage, therefore, practiced tradition in the Marine Corps should take precedence over Marine Corps orders and regulations .

    Read More

  • Rhetorical Analysis of MacArthur’s Duty Honor Country

    1268 Words  | 3 Pages

    MacArthur, Douglas. “Duty, Honor, Country.” Sylvanus Thayer Award Acceptance. West Point, NY. 12 May, 1962.

    Read More

  • Lt Gen Lewis B. Puller

    1020 Words  | 3 Pages

    The history of Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller is not well known outside of the U.S. Marine Corps, but as the most decorated marine in history his legend will live on and continue to inspire the marines of tomorrow. The enlisted corps has idolized him, frequently encouraging one another to do that last push up when motivated by fellow marines saying “Do one for Chesty!” The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate that Chesty, using current day leadership theories, was a visionary and ethical leader who exemplified the characteristics that our nation’s military needed during World War II and still needs today. I will explain how he embodied some principles of Full Range Leadership Development that are taught today. Then I will describe how he demonstrated his ethical leadership through combat actions when faced with general military ethics situations. Finally, I will examine how my own leadership abilities, though noncombat focused, compare to how Chesty led his marines. Let’s begin by exploring the visionary leadership that Lt Gen Puller exhibited.

    Read More

  • A Tactical Ethic Strategic Ethic

    1447 Words  | 3 Pages

    In A Tactical Ethic, Moral Conduct in the Insurgent Battlespace, author Dick Couch addresses what he believes to be an underlying problem, most typical of small units, of wanton ethical and moral behavior partly stemming from the negative “ethical climate and moral culture” of today’s America (Couch, D., 2010, p. 15). In chapter one, he reveals what A Tactical Ethic will hope to accomplish; that is identify the current ethics of today’s military warriors, highlight what is lacking, and make suggestions about what can be done to make better the ethical behavior of those on the battlefield and in garrison. He touches on some historic anecdotes to highlight the need for high ethics amongst today’s military warriors as well as briefly mentions

    Read More

  • Marine Corps

    1562 Words  | 4 Pages

    The following was a submitted report for a U.S. History research paper assignment We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea. First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean; We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine. Our flag's unfurled to every breeze from dawn to setting sun. We have fought in every clime and place, where we could take a gun. In the snow of far off northern lands and in sunny tropic scenes, You will find us always on the job, The United States Marines. Here's health to you and to our Corps which we are proud to serve. In many a strife we've fought for life and never lost our nerve. If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines." The Marine hymn is eternally etched in the mind's and soul of every recruit and officer who have served in the United States Marine Corps. Every Marine has gone through boot camp, each sacrificing blood, sweat, and tears. One thing that has never deteriorated in their years of existence is the fact that they have yet to lose a war they have put effort in. Is this exceptional record due to their extensive training? Is it because of their aggressive nature and mindset? What is to follow may shed some light on these questions and perhaps give some type of insight on how the Marine Corps was so prevailing and what conflicts had they had conquered. 1775, November 10th. This date is memorized and celebrated by every United States Marine as something of excellence, a date of honor. This date is non other than the "birthdate" of the Marine Corps. It was on this date that the Continental Congress passed a resolution to create two operational battalions of American Marines. These men would ultimately be headed by Captain Samuel Nicholas, of the United States Naval department. It was in Philadelphia that the first Marines were grouped and trained for their inaugural mission. The three hundred Marines that had been recruited, were placed aboard eight transport ships, all destined for the beaches of New Providence (the Bahamas). Upon their landing on March 3rd, 1776, they fought up the beach, sweeping through a barrage of bullets, and took command of two small stone forts and a number of military storage complexes.

    Read More

  • Marine Corps Uniform In The 21st Century

    693 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Marine Corps Commandant General James L. Jones wants to lead the Marines into the 21st century with a new camouflage utility uniform. You may ask, why do the Marines need to differentiate their uniform from other branches; or why do the Marines need a new utility uniform at all. The answer to these questions can be summed up in two words: Forward Movement. Some Marines are having difficulties with the changes that have occurred as well as the changes that are coming.

    Read More

  • Chesty Puller Essay

    974 Words  | 2 Pages

    Born in Virginia, to mother Martha Puller and father Matthew Puller, he grew to become a well recognized marine globally (Russell & Cohn, 2012). His father’s dead while he was 10 years did not stop him to achieve a high point career; in fact, his childhood lifestyle of listening to war stories...

    Read More

  • Brotherhood in the Marines

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    Being a Marine means being apart of something bigger than yourself. Being a Marine means giving up selfishness for selflessness.”The Marines is a family that looks after its own in every way. Those who stand by you in battle will never leave your side.” -Marines.com. Being a Marine means being a warrior. When a Marine says Semper Fidelis, it means he/she will always be faithful to the corps, their family and friends, and their brothers and sisters fighting by his/her side. A Marine lives up to the core values honor,courage, and commitment. A Marine will give up their life for their fellow Marines, family and country without hesitation. The formal definition of a Marine is to be apart of the Marine Corps, the military, but it is so much more. Being a Marine means being apart of a brotherhood/sisterhood.

    Read More

  • Gneral Patton Biography

    1317 Words  | 3 Pages

    " General Patton: A Soldier's Life." Armor May-June 2003: 51+. Academic OneFile. Web.

    Read More

  • The Vietnam War

    1443 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the Vietnam War, the first platoon (approximately forty men) was lead by a young officer named William Calley. Young Calley was drafted into the US Army after high school, but it did not take long for him to adjust to being in the army, with a quick transition to the lifestyle of the military, he wanted to make it his career. In high school, Calley was a kind, likable and “regular” high school student, he seemed to be a normal teenager, having interest in things that other boys his age typically had. He was never observed acting in a cruel or brutal way. In Vietnam, Calley was under direct order of company commander, Captain Ernest Medina, whom he saw as a role model, he looked up to Medina. (Detzer 127).

    Read More

  • Exemplary Service: Lance Corporal Taylor D. Carr

    518 Words  | 2 Pages

    The exceptional professional ability, steadfast initiative and selfless dedication to duty exhibited by Lance Corporal Carr makes him most deserving of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement

    Read More

  • Leadership Self-Assessment

    3035 Words  | 7 Pages

    As an officer in the United States Army, it has been imperative for me to understand every facet of leadership and why it remains important to be an effective leader. During this course, I have learned some valuable lessons about myself as a leader and how I can improve on my leadership ability in the future. The journal entries along with the understanding of available leadership theories have been an integral part of my learning during this course. For all of the journals and assessments that I completed, I feel it has given me a good understanding of my current leadership status and my future potential as a leader. All of the specific assessments looked at several areas in regards to leadership; these assessments covered several separate focus areas and identified my overall strengths and weaknesses as a leader. Over the course of this paper I will briefly discuss each one of these assessments and journal entries as they pertained to me and my leadership.

    Read More

More about Berwell Puller: The Heart Of The Marine Corps

Open Document