Exemplary performance has always attracted accolades and numerous prices; this gives morale and vigor for everyone to achieve their best. In the disciplined forces, particularly the marine, the service members always receive a major reward that elevates them in rank; this is the medal. This rewards them for their bravery and contribution in the missions they are involved in. Indeed, they contribute a lot to the peace and security of the world at large and they truly deserve these medals for recognition (Tucker, 2011). This has been a practice for the U.S. Marine to issue Corps medals since the Civil War to present day. Among the Corps Medal categories include American Defense Medal-WWII, Armed Forces Civilian Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal among others. Since the Civil War there have been over 120 U.S. Marine Corps Medals. This paper identifies Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller and describes why he has been one of the most decorated marines in the history of the U.S. Lieutenant General Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller was born on 26th June 1898, and died on 11th October 1971. He retired in 1955 as an officer of the U.S. Marine Corps and goes down in history as the only U.S. Marine to receive five Navy Crosses. He also fought the Haiti and Nicaragua guerrillas, the Korean War, and the World War II (Russell & Cohn, 2012). 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... ... middle of paper ... ... row consisted of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. The sixth row consisted of the Haitian Medaille Militaire, Korean Service Medal, Nicaraguan Cross of Valor and the Nicaraguan Presidential Medal of Merit. The seventh row consisted of the United Nations Korea Medal, the Order of Military Merit, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Eulji Cordon Medal, and the Chinese Order of the Cloud and Banner, (Russell & Cohn, 2012). With seven rows of medals he remains well decorated and they serve as a sign of his dedication and service to the government. Bestowed with such rewards, Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller can rest assured that his contribution to the country was rewarded and his life a beacon of hope to many citizens and a benchmark for achievement in the discipline forces.
Audie Leon Murphy has earned all available U.S. military combat award for valor possible from the United States Army. He was also decorated by Belgium and France for his service. He serviced in the European Theater of Operations along with the Mediterranean. on January 26, 1945 Murphy earned the medal of honor because of what he had did at the Colmar Pocket near Holtzwihr, France when he was only 19 years old. He received it for his defensive actions against German troops- this shows his selfless service and personal courage. While he was wounded he alone stayed in a burning tank destroyer firing at the Germans- their soldiers and tanks- with a fully automatic machine gun. When he was out of ammo he climbed off the tank and led a successful counterattack after he had refused to let his wounds be treated. Another way he showed his personal courage-an army value.
The heart wrenching tale of Jason Poole is an evident picture of the lost potentials of all the heavily injured veterans who came back to an entirely different “home”. Grady shows us that life as a veteran, who has put their life on the line to protect their country, after coming home is like having to start from scratch. “‘Jason was definitely a ladies’ man’, said Zillah Hodgkins, who had been a friend for nine years.” (5, Grady) Grady utilizes this quote by previously showing us the current state of
In 1960, at the age of twenty-four, Philip Caputo enlists in the United Sates Marine Corps in hopes of escaping his relaxed lifestyle in the quaint town of Westchester, Illinois. Caputo is interested in proving himself a man and earning respect in response to President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address to the nation. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” are the famous words that pushed many young men into the patriotic world of enlistment, in order to defend American ideals. Caputo’s expectations of the war in Vietnam are to achieve heroic acts, finish his missions quickly and efficiently, get out in one piece, and return home to a supportive country interested in his heroic adventures.
In May of 1962, General Douglas MacArthur gave his gratitude to the United States Military Academy at West Point for his military service and for his acceptance of the Thayer Award. The speech was a key time for MacArthur to leave his legacy. With his speech “Duty, Honor, Country,” MacArthur shared his beliefs that one should follow the the words duty, honor, and country, because they helped him succeed throughout life and his military life. MacArthur thought that if the cadets heard of how he became successful, they would follow after him. On May 12th, he was successful in doing so as his speech consisted of rhetorical appeals which showed the importance of the three words he followed during his life.
... to Barnum, people who have awards such as the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor effect not only those who hold them, but those that see others wearing them. Being a decorated veteran will change another person’s perspective of someone, even without meeting him or her previously. Barnum argues that these lies are detrimental to society and the government needs to do its job to protect its symbols and awards (Barnum, 849).
Crane, Stephen. The Red Badge of Courage. Sculley Bradley, Richard Beatty, and E. Hudson Long Eds. New York: W.W. Norton, 1962.
MacArthur, Douglas. “Duty, Honor, Country.” Sylvanus Thayer Award Acceptance. West Point, NY. 12 May, 1962.
Mitchell, the son of a wealthy Wisconsin Senator, began his military career at the age of eighteen when he enlisted as a private in the First Wisconsin when the United States declared war on Spain in April, 1898. Due to his father’s high position, “in three weeks Mitchell had accepted a second lieutenant’s commission in a volunteer signal company.” He witnessed the ceremony of Spain’s surrender in Havana, Cuba, an important experience in bringing him to “appreciate America’s new worldwide role.”
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.
and Drill Instructors see Boot Camp. Why did he pick the Marines as his topic? Attracted to the Corps perception and morale, Thomas E. Ricks expresses the Marines as the only service still upholding its honor and tradition. Due to society changing into a commercial society with a “me” attitude, civilians focus on how they can splendor themselves with material items—never looking at the big picture at all that we can accomplish as a team if we give our heart and soul to life. Team means everyone on earth, for we are the people that provide for one another with peace and prosperity.
Buell, Thomas B. (1987). The Quiet Warrior: a Biography of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 518. ISBN 0-87021-562-0.
If not for Louie’s drive, commitment, hope, and resolve, many of the men stranded at sea, including himself, would not have survived for as long as they did. His years as a juvenile delinquent and subsequent career as an olympic runner helped strengthen Louie’s character and instill confidence within him, which, ultimately prepared him for being lost at sea and surviving the horrors of World War 2.
The 9/11 remembrance ceremony occurs in Beinecke plaza, and I stood in formation near the foot of the flagpole, watching my fellow Yale NROTC midshipmen raise the Nation Ensign for morning colors on the memorial flagstaff to remember the deaths of all those civilians who died on that day, in the terrible attack on New York, as well as all of the military service members who have fallen in the line of duty in the wars since that day. Though I did not realize it at the time, while I stood at attention among the NROTC unit squads and midshipman staff, while the Company Commander saluted, we were all honoring lieutenant Leyard’s sacrifice and his memory, which the flagstaff represents, as there is likely nobody left alive now among all those who had ever met him or known of his death in battle, and therefore his memory lives on through the plaque which bears his name, rank, birthdate, and the date and location of his death, available to any and all students, professors, university staff, and even tour groups who
We salute you for your bravery and dedication (Salute). Received the highest award on the Australian Honour System by openly exposing himself to the enemies in order to save his mates. His name is Corporal Daniel Keighran.
Soon after Zamperini joined the forces one of the greatest tragedies in American history occurred: the bombing of Pearl Harbor. America was at war. Zamperini was quickly trained at Texas’s Ellington Field and earned close to perfect test scores. He graduated from Midland in 1942 as a second lieutenant. During his graduation when Zamperini said goodbye to his family one harrowing thought refused to dissolve from his mind: he might never see his family again. Zamperini was sent to an air base in Ephrata, Washington where he met his soon-to-be best friend and pilot, Russell Allen Phillips, a quiet Hoosier who Zamperini would refer to as Phil. Shortly after meeting Phillips Zamperini had an entire crew and a plane that the men referred to lovingly as, “the flying coffin.” The close-knit crew would later give their plane the proper name “Super