Albany base celebrates birthday of most decorated Marine
— Marines at MCLB-Albany joined their brothers in arms across the Corps on June 26 in honoring the most decorated Marine, Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, the only Marine ever awarded five Navy Crosses, the nation's second-highest military honor, on the date of his 126th birthday, .
During his 37-year career, Puller served 27 of those years in foreign lands or at sea. Marked by his heroism and valor during WWII, the Korean War, and expeditionary service in China, Nicaragua and Haiti, Puller became one of the most recognizable figures in military history.
Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was a United States Marine Corps officer. He began his career fighting guerillas in Haiti and Nicaragua as part of the Banana Wars and 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 was awarded five Navy Crosses and one Distinguished Service Cross. With six crosses, Puller is second behind Eddie Rickenbacker for citations of 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.
Puller was revered as a Marine's Marine, embodying an unwavering warrior spirit and upholding the esteemed tradition of excellence that all Marines aspire to emulate.
As each successive generation of Marines meets the challenges of the modern day with valor and dedication, they are reminded of the words of this most distinguished Marine: "Old breed? New breed? There's not a damn bit of difference as long as it's the Marine breed."
During the Korean War, Puller was caught up in Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. This decisive battle proved to be a grueling and deadly conflict that would put Puller and his troops to the test. Working through the harsh conditions, Chesty reminded his soldiers that they would be successful no matter what, if he had anything to do with it, at least.
"Don't forget that you're First Marines," he told his troops. "Not all the Communists in hell can overrun you."
Puller lived by the motto "Lead by example." And he embodied those words. He lived with his men, spending time among the privates, carrying his own mess gear. In combat, he rigidly refused comforts that would separate him from his men.
Once, during a 28-day combat patrol through New Britain, he refused to allow natives to carry his pack. Like the men, he lived on a diet of "K-rations." He slept on the deck of ships or on the bare floor of an abandoned native hut, refusing comforts typically afforded men of his rank.
Through his character and devotion in combat, Chesty Puller's legacy will forever inspire Marines.
