Marine!: The Life of Chesty Puller

by Burke Davis

An action-packed biography of the most decorated soldier in the history of the US Marine Corps

“We are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can’t get away from us now!”—Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, USMC
 
In the glorious chronicles of the US Marine Corps, no name is more revered than that of Lt. Gen. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller. The only fighting man to be awarded the Navy Cross five separate times—a military honor second only to the Congressional Medal of Honor—he was the epitome of a professional soldier. A son of the South, descendant of Robert E. Lee, and cousin to George S. Patton, Puller began his enlisted career during World War I and moved up through the ranks as he proved his battlefield mettle in Haiti and Nicaragua, with the Horse Marines in Peking, in the Pacific Theater of World War II, and in the nightmarish winter engagements of the Korean War.
 
Fearless and seemingly indestructible, adored by the troops he championed yet forced into early retirement by a high command that resented his “lowly” beginnings and unwillingness to play politics, Puller remains one of most towering figures in American military history. Bestselling military biographer Burke Davis paints the definitive portrait of this extraordinary marine hero.

Genres: Biography, Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction, War, Military History, World War II

371 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1962

Reviews

[JD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a great fighting man!! The life of Chesty Puller reads like an adventure novel and he truly was a man that left his mark on the free world. Highly recommended!!

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this numerous times...it was often great airport reading when flying back and forth to the States from Okinawa or while waiting for the plane to show up on the way to or from a deployment. I also read it twice in college and once during my time at Infantry School at Camp Geiger. It's a great book for a new enlisted Marine or officer.

This book is an exciting account of Chesty Puller's adventures as the most decorated Marine in history, but the book itself is not great history or biography. Still every US Marine should read (many probably have), because this book does a superb job of letting us all know what the standards are for leadership, initiative, and intensity in combat while you serve in uniform. For those who want the real facts of Chesty's life, I recommend the recent biography by Jon T. Hoffman, which is superb. But if you want to know what Chesty Puller means to the Marine Corps, then you need to start with this book.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Semper Fi.

“…it is a matter of life or death for officers and noncommissioned officers to have respect from the men—and something more. Adulation. They must obey orders to the letter, without question, though they die for it. It is the only way to handle men in combat. If you lose control, you lose lives. It is so simple as that.” (Kindle Locations 594-596)

Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller was a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. An old-fashioned man’s man; one you could believe might have had the words: valor, honor, courage, heroism, indelibly etched into the fabric of his character.

An exemplary warrior, an exemplary leader, and a most exemplary Marine. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, as a private, in 1918; and was retired 37 years later, in 1955—the most decorated Marine in American history—as a three-star general.

Recommended to me by a friend who served in the USMC, Burke Davis’s biography: Marine!: The Life of Chesty Puller earns exemplary marks for comprehensive research, and for excellent narration of an incredible life.

Recommendation: Highly recommended for all who’d like a glimpse into the mindset of one truly courageous Marine.

“Then you could see on the faces of the troops what he meant to them. Every eye rolled after him as he walked on and their expressions said better than billboards that he was their kind of an officer. They would have followed him anywhere.” (Kindle Locations 3058-3060).

Open Road Media. Kindle Edition, 400 pages, 7,430 Kindle locations.

[Geoff Sebesta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books you read for truly no reason at all. I picked up a copy while hitching around Minneapolis back in May, and just finished it tonight. It was there, I read it.

I started the book in the hope that Chesty Puller would be as interesting as Smedley Butler. Too much to ask. Instead of a pioneering metageneral with a taste for social reform, I found a marine who was exceptionally good at killing things without dying. Mostly during WWII. Ho-hum.

Puller's legendary invulnerability is celebrated without being investigated, his participation in bluntly colonial warfare passed over without comment or insight. The story is a set of anecdotes about how strong he was, how tough he was, how he had malaria but went out and achieved anyway. The horrors of war are glancingly discussed, but this is a book from 1962 -- after Korea, before Vietnam, during the Kennedy administration but before the end. Its real concerns arise towards the end, but if you were to read any page at random the message would be Be Tough and Follow Orders.

But after persevering through the beginning years in Nicaragua and Haiti, through WWII and a lot of hullabaloo about Guadacanal, the book struck upon two things in my sphere of interest -- the conditions on the ground for the Korean War (specifically the cold weather and poor equipment, which this book explains in detail), and the Ribbon Creek incident ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon_C... ) which dragged Puller out of retirement to offer a spirited defense of the Marine's right to impose discipline.

There's also a fair amount of casual racism in this book.

In conclusion, I would not recommend this to anyone who was not specifically studying the campaigns Puller participated in, but he did participate in some important campaigns and it's fairly well written for what it is.

[Shea Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completing this book today amidst Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing is interesting. Hegseth faced repeated questioning about his views of women in combat roles (namely that they ought not be there). This was railed against by Senators as though it was a ludacris and offensive perspective. I wonder what Chesty Puller would think of the military today. Our society (and our military as a result) have become so feminized and effeminate that men of 80 years ago wouldn't even be able to comprehend it.

Puller was a man of unwavering dedication, both to the Corps and his family. He often wrote to his wife during the wars and was an attentive and thoughtful husband through great absences. His love and sacrifice for his men was beyond compare.

Fun anecdote the book mentioned the most and carried through several tours of duty by Puller is a biography of Stonewall Jackson. Chesty attended VMI where Stonewall was a professor and admired him greatly. I wasn't aware of this when starting the audiobook but I've been reading a Stonewall biography for a while now and the connection was fun.

This book is filled with inspiring stories, it made me want to be braver, to love my wife more and to trust the Lord in everything. I hope my son's grow up admiring men like Chesty, I guess it's my job to tell them the stories.



PS: To my Fusion friends I couldn't help but see similarities between Puller and Scott Brawner. Near the end of Puller's career the higher ups opposed him and as the military became more bureaucratic they stopped listening to the hard earned wisdom of the seasoned marine. Puller knew how things should work because he'd lived it. Scott's departure was a mixed bag for certain, but there were certain things people just didn't understand about his vision because they had not done the hard work he had; they had sat at desks and read very thick books instead.

[Michael K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEW! What a roller coaster ride this book was. What a life this man had! You don't have many leaders like this one, that is for sure. Especially in the military. This man sought out war, much akin to his cousin, George S. Patton. When he went in to do a job, he learned every aspect of that job. Everyone below him and above him. He was the type of leader every one desired to have and were destined to follow him to hell and back! A couple of his best know quotes:

“All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us…they can’t get away this time.”

“Retreat! We’re just attacking in a different direction.”

This is the type of man you want leading the military.

[Charles Charlesworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can you say about this artfully done biography of the most famous Marine to have walked the grinder? The author was masterful and the subject was beyond legend. At night in Marine Bootcamp after prayers we recited GOD Bless the Marines and then "GOD Bless Chesty Puller where ever you are".
Does that give you the scope of how that man was revered? General Lewis B.(Chesty)Puller is the most decorated Marine in History. His career spans from the Banana Wars before WWI to Korea and was rejected for additional service in Vietnam because of his advanced age. As much as he was revered by enlisted men and junior grade officers he was held in jealous contempt by headquarters Marine Corps. He was awarded 5 Navy Crosses more than any other man in history. Anyone of those 5 Crosses qualified for the Congressional Medal of Honor, but jealous administrative Command personnel made sure it never got any further than the Department of the Navy. They felt insecure even in his presence yetn thought because he wasn't an academy grad he wasn't worth of their click.

General Puller was General Patton's second cousin and both were direct decendants of Robert E. Lee. Both attended VMI.

[Kurt Rocourt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This did not live up to my expectations. I did not realize I would be reading a book about a walking, talking cartoon character. This book is truly a book of its times. It was actually published in the 1960s and it shows. In this book you have some one who loves his mom, treats his wife to flowers weekly and is the roughest, toughest, fightenest, ruten, tuten, gun toten, he-man, fighting man the world ever did see. It comes across as silly. At one point in this book Chesty Puller is in a helicopter crash. He walks away from the crash with a piece of glass sticking out his neck. Yes, that is in this book. Someone pulls the glass out of his neck and he doesn't bleed. Seriously this is in the book. This is after he was in a battle shooting enemies with one shot each. Being shot at but not being hit once. All that just for him to be beaten by politics and a medical discharge. It's just silly. I wanted to take it seriously but this book was just propaganda of its time.

I received this book via NetGalley. I thank them for this book.

[Jeff Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Lord. If he was serving today you can bet the media would be all over him and not in a good way. This was soldier’s soldier who loved, as his cousin, George Patton said, “the sting of battle.”
Lewis Puller knew his family had fought for this country and he would be no different. He revealed at the tales he heard of the great Southern generals who almost defeated the “blue bellies” of the north. In this climate of political correctness, the morons who want to take down the statues that honor the men who fought for the South have no historical knowledge of the men spawned from these military men. Hell, one of Chesty’s relatives fought for the North. When the war was over he was never invited to spend time with the family again, but they also realized that for America to be a great nation it could not be divided.
Puller was a soldier’s soldier. Even though he rose through the ranks from a buck private to a Lt. General he never forgot about the men who did the fighting. Like Patton, he led from the front and not the rear. He does not hide his discontent for those who issued orders from the rear areas with no grasp of the situation at the front. Sound familiar?
Did the man have faults? Of, course. Some reviewers have pointed out that they weren’t covered in the story. Too bad. If you read between the lines and see how slow his promotion to Brigadaire General, you know his rough and tumble ways were not embraced by those who were encompassed with jealousy and envy at his accomplishments. We see those who didn’t like him jump with glee when he returned from Korea and was misquoted about beer and whiskey for the troops. Puller was right when he asked, “Are these people Americans?” referring to the press. Sound familiar.
Even though he was the most decorated Marine and hard-nosed son-of-a-bitch, he was a great family man who never lost sight of returning home to his family. I have noticed this thread with many of famous generals who exemplified themselves on the field of battle. The other trait they share is their distaste for war but understand that wars are inevitable and wh3en called upon to fight them, they must do it as most professionalism as possible and ensure that the enemy takes the brunt of the casualties and the only way to accomplish that is be being prepared.
The one most important lesson Puller talks about is the amount of paperwork in Peacetime versus War time. It is close to non-existent in the later and a formidable for in the prior. I have talked to many who have recently served and they voice the same issues. The military can an will operate to maximum efficiency when the paper hangers are eliminated and the fighting men are put in charge. They know how to get things done and like Puller, aren’t worried about being promoted or receive medals for dotting the I or crossing the t. They earn them by “Grabbing the enemy and kicking him the ass. Kicking the hell out of em and going through them like crap through a good!” Imagine if George and Chesty could have worked together?
I never looked at the Korean War as a loss, but after reading this, it was. It wasn’t a draw. Granted, the story doesn’t go into how MacArthur inflamed the Chinese and they came pouring over the Yalu River after Doug bombed the bridges. But then, that is a different matter.
The last point is his clairvoyance. He saw the weaknesses of the military and how they should be addressed. Drumming out or re-stationing combat veterans before they could pass on their wisdom to the green troops. Countless times he would overlook minor infractions of etiquette such as saluting an officer or telling one to piss off. Since he was a buck private he knew the mind of the ordinary soldier and many times would laugh and say, “Hell, I’d probably do the same thing.” One this he didn’t tolerated was his officers trying to put themselves over and above the men they were in charge of. If so one flaunting his position, Puller would bring him down several notches and they would never forget the lesson. Many would thank him for the punishment for it made them better officers and leaders. Isn’t that what we want form our military?
Who will like this? Anyone wanting a good read on Lewis “Chesty” Puller and the fighting spirit of the United States Marine Corp.
Semper Fi!

[Dick Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burke Davis’ biography of Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller vividly portrays the military life of a man who was a professional in the best sense of that word. He studied the men and the tactics they employed in the U. S. Civil War before he enlisted in the Marines. As a sergeant he led patrols fighting guerrillas in Haiti and Nicaragua. Later, as an officer, he led Marines in China as CO of the 2nd Battalion, Fourth Marines. (I served in 2/4 and other parts of the Fourth Marines from 1959 to 1962 when it was located on Oahu.) He strongly believed that tough training and knowledge of the enemy were keys to success in battle.
The book also details Chesty’s leadership in the First Marines during the battle of Guadalcanal. The Army was so impressed with him that soldiers were added to Chesty’s battalion so they could learn how to defeat the Japanese. Chesty believed that a leader should be out in front with his troops, setting the example, and inspiring them to accomplish the mission no matter how desperate the situation. He did this during the invasion of Peleliu and later in Korea during the Inchon landing, the capture of Seoul, and in the freezing terror of the Chosin Reservoir. He must have had a guardian angel watching over him during all this combat for he was wounded only once in his leg with shrapnel. Many legends sprung up about Chesty. When informed at the Chosin that they were surrounded by the enemy, he replied in a positive way; the Marines could now shoot in ay direction and hit the enemy.
Chesty was a devoted family man and wrote daily to his wife, Virginia, who looked after their daughter, also named Virginia, and later their son, Lewis Jr. After the Korean War was over, Chesty commanded units on both U. S. coasts, the latter one at Camp Lejeune, NC. During this time he became ill and was required to have tests performed at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD. He adamantly maintained that he was fit for duty but the medical authorities mandated his retirement. There is still an aura of some skulduggery about this; many in the military believed that Chesty was being punished for being “politically incorrect,” always speaking his mind while ignoring the consequences.
Chesty retired as a Lieutenant General in October 1955 at age 57 and lived until 1971. In March 1980, the U. S. S. Lewis B. Puller (FFG-23) was launched and sponsored by Mrs. Puller. My youngest son, Chris, served on this ship in the early 1990s and I had the opportunity to spend time with him for a “Family Day” cruise from Long Beach Harbor out into the Pacific Ocean. In the wardroom there is a display of Chesty’s fifty-three medals and ribbons including his five Navy Crosses and the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross, testifying that he was the most decorated Marine in our country’s history.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

General Puller was considered the Marine version of the John Wayne personna having fought in Central America, World War II, and Korea. He was a cousin of George S. Patton. Puller was a fighter not a politician and led by example.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most celebrated legendary Marine is Chesty Puller; the most decorated US Marine in history, even today every Marine would know of his name after being drilled information about him starting in the days of boot camp; do you know who he was and what he has done? Though I’m a Marine veteran who love Marine Corps history I am ashamed to realize that I have never read any books about Chesty Puller until recently and I don’t know much about him as much I should compared to other military leaders in the other services! For those that don’t know anything about him Chesty Puller is literally the guy that you want to be around taking charge when the enemies have surrounded you and outnumbered against you; and he’s literally saved men’s lives during such a scenario too. So I am glad I saw they have an electronic format of this book available. Originally published in 1962 this book was written when Puller was still alive. This book actually made me want to read more works on Chesty Puller especially more recent works evaluating his life, legacy and contribution.
The book consists of twenty nine chapters. It covered his early life, of how in his youth he wanted to go fight in World War One though he was underage, of his days in Virginia Military Institute and finally his enlistment in the Marine Corps in 1918, barely missing World War One. But once he entered the Marines Chesty Puller started to standout. In fact during the sleepy decades between World War One and World War Two Puller was pulling in combat experiences and traveled widely in some of the mosting interesting corners of the world. The Marines often call this time as the era of Banana Wars; Puller was in the thick of it fighting in Haiti against Caco insurgents and later on for years in Nicaragua with jungle warfare. Marines during this time would develop the Small Wars manual, one of the Marine Corps important document in counterinsurgency operation and while Puller I don’t think contributed to the manual still we see templates and ideas in that manual being employed by Puller: working with locals, having small unit infantry combat operation, survival and training up local forces. After Nicaragua Puller went to China on the eve of the United States’ own entrance into World War Two and his observation and experience with Chinese and Japanese forces led him to realize he needed to train his Marines ready for war with Japan.
Puller’s best known battlefield exploits would be from World War Two and Korea. A significant part of the book covers his combat leadership during both wars. Puller fought in the Pacific against the Japanese in Guadalcanal, Battle of Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu. Guadalcanal was America’s first ground offensive against the Japanese and the Island battle was fierce as the book described it with attacks and Japanese counter-attacks. Peleliu was one America’s highest casualty rate (almost 40 percent) of any amphibious attack in American history and the book describes Puller’s concern that there was not enough bombardment before and during the invasion. Puller lost a lot of men during this battle and himself was barely able to walk after his regiment was pulled back from combat. In Korea the book talk about Puller organizing a combat regiment, the amphibious landing of Inchon, fighting for the Capitol of Seoul, and the battle of Chosin Reservoir.
Throughout the book there’s a lot of snappy sayings the book recorded and also Puller’s outlook as a Marine. Reading this made me realize how much of Puller’s kind of outlook is the epitimote of Marine outlook today: there is the concern for realistic training, the mentality of stressing combat readiness when the country is least ready and also a can-do attitude against overwhelming odds that’s coupled with a concern for the troops and a lot of tough love for the men one lead as well. Puller was wildly popular among the rank and file. Reading this book made me think about how General Mattis was somewhat like that when he was the First Marine Division General. Yet the book was also frank about how higher ups and staff officers might not necessarily be a fan of Puller whose slow promotion does indicate there’s something more than conspiracy theory with the higher ups not being a fan of his. Still he was an excellent war fighter and even among a good outfit like the Marines there’s not many like him who can fight, lead and also inspire others while also retaining a strong moral compass.
I think even if you read this review and think you don’t have time to read this book (thanks for reading the review though!) this work might be something you can consider as a gift for your friend or family that’s always talking about the Marine Corps. This also would be a worthwhile gift for those non-infantry Marines too. Marines have a saying of every Marine a riflemen and Puller believed this during World War Two, who at times made a makeshift quick reaction force of clerks, mechanics and other cooks to turn the battle around. Sometimes though I think its more true that every Marine is a recruiter than a rifleman from the way Marines talk about the Corps. So this book for your “Whooah!” loved ones might be up their alley.

[Brian Manville · Rating 4 out of 5]

The name of Burke Davis is highly regarded among historians of all stripes - particularly among fans of the Civil War. However, he did write other books outside of that period of American history. In this case, he took on probably the most revered Marine - if not American military mind - in our nation's history.

This is Chesty's history told as a series of vignettes covering his long military career from Haiti to Korea. But, what I took from it, was his leadership style. While I'm not into how to be this dynamic leader, there are basic things that come from reading about his life that can be applied to fathers, community leaders, and so forth. One of the things that always struck me about the man is that he was an officer, but he knew where the strength truly lies - in the common soldier:

No officer's life is worth more than that of any man in his ranks...I've never yet seen a Marine outfit fall apart for lack of any one man.

He knew that men need motivation, and while he firmly fit into the "tough, but fair" archetype, he was also known to buck up the soldier who needed it, take down pomposity where he found it, and was upfront and honest with his men. He brokered no baloney. He knew that his men having skin in the game was crucial to them buying in to his leadership:

A man with a flag in his pack and the desire to put it on an enemy strongpoint isn't likely to bug out.

His style did not go unnoticed. Oliver Smith remarked of Puller:

A vigorous, aggressive officer who pursues his objective without deviation. A splendid leader of men who inspires complete confidence on the part of his subordinates...

His fitness reports were essentially tributes to the man:

A highly qualified troop leader, loyal, honest and firm in his convictions...I would very much like to have him with me in the field at any time...An officer of strong and firm military character and the very highest personal integrity...

This last quote sums up Chesty in a nutshell. Sure, you can make grand gestures like making sure that the men get chow before the officers. But this is a man who regularly made his command center right in among the troops and moved with them, badgering or encouraging as needed. He went through what they went through - he even walked with the troops during the retreat from the Chosin Reservoir.

I will be honest, if this man does not have a leadership course based on his life, he should. Everything these gurus talk about - Chesty lived and his men would walk through the fires of hell for him.

BOTTOM LINE: Good night, Chesty...wherever you are.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lewis Burwell Puller, also known as Chesty, was born in Virginia in 1898. He enrolled in the Virginia Military Institute, but left to join the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted as a private and went through boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. He attended officer school, and graduated from there as a Second Lieutenant. He was part of the United States occupation in Haiti. (Banana Wars) He went on to serve during World War II in the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and New Britain. He also served in the Korean wat at Chosin Reservoir, Seoul, and Inchon. He received a multitude of awards and medals, earning himself the title of most decorated Marine. He and his wife Virginia went on to have a son, named after his father, who also served as a Marine. Unfortunately, his son was severely wounded in Vietnam and lost both of his legs and parts of his hands. He died in 1971 at age 73. He is buried in Virginia.

I picked this book up because it was in the World War II section at my local used book store. I had heard this name before, but did not know much about this man. He really loved the Marine Corps and his service. He was a very intelligent and respected leader. This book was a great asset in learning about his and his service during World War II. I recommend it for anyone interested in war history or the Marine Corps. I did look into his son, who has a book of his own about his personal experience (Fortunate Son) if you are interested. His son died via suicide in 1994. I also thought it was interesting that he was related to General Patton, another notable military figure. Overall, this was a pretty good book. I enjoyed it.

[Arturo WM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this one in a little library. Interesting book about an interesting man. The depiction of the Korean War and the US Army's retreat were particularly enthralling as I have not been exposed much to that conflict.

[Danny Jarvis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The army had to write “once an eagle” to make a fictional character that matches the level of Puller. However, of all the legends, his greatest accolade was the admiration of his men. The lesson of his story and proven leadership is the importance which experience provides over education.

[Jim Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a guy. We need our military to align with General Puller's main goal - defeat the enemy! What a great American.

[Josh Ace · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book if you are looking for a casual read with not much substance. Heavy on Marine Corps propaganda and little on an in depth look at the historical figure himself. This book covers the gritty and “John Wayne” moments well, but focuses little on the other aspects. If you would like to join the Marines and want a myopic view towards its history, then this is a great book to read about one of the Corps’ legends. It was written well, but during a dated time where loss of life and victory was celebrated as hardship for success, which shows. Again, it is a good, easy, and decent read, but definitely something on a recruiter’s reading list.

[Austin Carroll Keeley · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good book for anyone interested in Marine Corps legends and lore, but not a truly insightful biography. It felt like something I would have read in 6th grade for a book report. Most of the book was USMC propaganda; all that mattered was that battles were fought and won, not whether or not they held any strategic importance. Likewise, Mr. Davis absolves Staff Sergeant McKeon of any responsibility of the devastating and drunken night march on Parris Island that claimed the lives of 6 recruits. Today the incident is widely recognized as a blemish on Marine Corps history, but the incident is presented in the book as an example of the importance of training and espirit de corps.

Read this if you want to learn the outline of Chesty Puller's career, but avoid it if you want a serious look at the history of the Marine Corps.

[James Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about the 4th or 5th time I have read this book and its like reading it for the first time. He was a war God. Bred from good ole southern stock (confederate lineage)Went to V.M.I. 1 yr, enlisted in the Corps as A Private and rose thru the ranks and retired a Lt.Gen.. He is the Most decorated Marine ever. and probably in the History of the U.S. Armed Services. 5 Navy Crosses 1 Silver Star. These are only second to the CMH., 2 World Wars, Korea, Haiti, Nicraugra. Cousin to Gen. George Patton. He was arguably the greatest American Warrior ever. SEMPER FI Chesty

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank God there was only one Lewis Puller! Even the Marines couldn't have handled two of him! I had heard the name for quite some time but had no idea who he was....I certainly do now. His ability to lead men under fire was second to none, as well as his ability to 'be one of the guys'. It's said that his men would follow him to Hell, and I think now I know why. A fast read, so much information crammed into this small book, and the author makes no effort to be impartial. He's a fan, like so many others......

[Will Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its hard to imageine meeting someone like Chesty Puller. Patriotic, brave, and bold; its hard to find all of those qualities in people today. If you ever hear someone ask how America survived the first half of the twenteith century, recommend this book to them.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful biography about a great American Warrior! General Puller was a highly decorated Marine who fought in 4 Wars and was beloved by the Men he fought with and is revered to this day! Enjoyable reading for those interested in Military History!

[Terry Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read various books on Lewis "Chesty" Puller and then reading some of the reviews I find the ones that only used 1 or 2 stars seemed to come from people who think it was Marine propaganda that they were bragging of the exploits of the marines. These people have not studied history and especially military history. Were wars, and "police actions" fought differently than we do today. YES.
After Viet Nam countries of the world felt that America would back down from any fight that caused military deaths. That was the reason for Sadam Husain going into Kuwait. The felt that if he could cause enough American deaths we would sue for peace and he could keep Kuwait and its oil to pay his debt off. Even today we have military leaders who are afraid of too many casualties will cause the liberal press to decry why are we fighting.
When Chesty Puller started his career he was a cadet at VMI he finished his first year and when America came into the 1st world war he just like the thousands of patriots who joined at the beginning of the 2nd world war and the war on terror he joined the ranks of the Marines. However by the time he was ready to go to war it was over. He received good advice to be enlisted as there were banana wars going on in the Caribbean. He did so and gained valuable experience fighting against bandits. Were the wars correct? A military man doesn't look at politically correctness. He follows orders. His fighting against the Sandinista's is still going on today and many innocent people are still dying. This book isn't a story about right or wrong decisions by the Political arm of our government, it is about the making of a soldier, one Lewis Puller. He rose from the ranks eventually becoming an officer and when WWII came along his regiment was probably the most prepared unit in the entire US military. He wasn't sent directly into the fight in the south pacific, but when he did he went in with gusto. Many of his detractors both then and those who now have rated this book less than it deserves, thought he sent his men with no concern for their lives. I question if they realized that he was at the front at every action that he was in. He mourned the loss of every one of his men. Yet he also realized that every war causes loss. There are good and bad wars, ones that our politicians choose to place our countries men and women in harms way. This book is about one extraordinary man. His stories that people think are propaganda haven't read their history. He was John Wayne long before Marion Morison was born and made a movie. Chesty Puller lead from the front just as soldiers who fought in the battles that gave this nation it's freedom and brought about an end to slavery. Generals fought and died with their men. Some who had the title and led from behind never had the ability to lead any one. He heard the stories from his neighbors who were still alive after the civil war. He chose to be that kind of man. His troops where ever he served idolized him they said on more than one occasion that they would follow him to hell because they knew he would win and bring them back. They also knew that some may die and it might be them but they still would do it because with him they had a chance.
Every officer who speaks his mind has tended to rile his commanding officers, those who's men idolize him tend to cause officers of any rank not part of that command to become jealous and want to get even. Those staff officers who during peace time rise to ranks higher than those who do the fighting do so not always by their talents but by the age old tradition of brown nosing superior officers. What ever word you use they rise until they are totally incompetent of going further, yet still rise further because well they might be better if they have more responsibility. War shows their incompetence and they often are relieved of command after tragic losses of men. Those officers who have prepared for battle long before it comes are capable of leading men into harms way and getting results. Puller was that sort of Officer. The biggest reason he didn't earn the Congressional medal of honor was because of the petty indifferences of superior officers who blocked such an award. It has been said if he had died then he just might have earned the CMOH. As it is he was the most decorated Marine in the Corps history. This is one of the books written about him and his career. He treated his men with respect and tried to teach his younger officers how to gain the same respect they had for him, some learned and others who would become staff officers sneered at the way he would talk to someone below him as an equal. This is one of the better books on Lewis Chesty Pullers life. It especially speaks volumes on his love for his wife and his family. In todays politically correct world I fear a Chesty Puller couldn't survive, it is sad because I fear that we are in need of someone of exactly his talents. This isn't the first time I've read this book but I now own it and will reread it especially when I think of the military leaders who may not lead our men into our next battle with his skill and get far too many men and women killed for their glory and not to win.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best bios I have ever read. The story of an incredible Marine and military legend. Very recommended

[Ron Wroblewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember when I read this book. It was when I became a Marine Officer. I wrote across the front cover - "The Bible". For it truly is the Bible for a fighting man. Excellent book.

[Mcf1nder_sk · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a young man in Marine Corps basic training, lo those many, many years ago, the drill instructors used to tell us legends. Not about King Arthur, the Trojan War or any of that happy-crappy stuff. Our legends involved Chesty Puller.
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Lewis Burwell (Chesty) Puller served in the Marine Corps for over 37 years, distinguishing himself from the steamy jungles of Haiti and Nicaragua to the "Frozen Chosin" of Korea. Over the course of his career, he became the most awarded military man ever, with 53 different awards, including 5 Navy Crosses, the 2nd-highest award given (after the Medal of Honor).
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Burke Davis spent over a year with Puller, gaining insight into Chesty's life and career. Davis also interviewed over 100 of Puller's brothers in arms about their interactions with Puller. Some of those interviewed are among a Who's Who of 20th century military genius, with names such as Nimitz, MacArthur and Smith.
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Puller died in 1971. The final stanza of the Marine Corps Hymns goes:
"If The Army and the Navy ever glance on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines."
If this is true, Chesty Puller is sure to be the Commanding General of the First Marine (Heaven's) Division.
God rest, Chesty. We'll take it from here.

[John Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book to read for any person in the military. This book provides an important picture of the differences between a successful warfighting force and the natural progression of the military during peacetime.

I think it is very interesting to compare and contrast General Puller and Admiral Rickover. Both were removed by staff officers, most likely due to their frank denouncement of decisions by higher ups, as well as jealousy and their own abrasive personalities. Both are a defining personality if their communities, which both pride themselves on their small size and hard work. Yet they were very different men- Puller a Marine's Marine, who could March twice as far as a man half his age, and a daring warfighter. Rickover was a small man, an engineering officer who made engineering the highest ideal in Submarining, despite a Navy culture that valued combat experience, especially from the diesel boat submariners if WW2. I think their difference stem from the different requirements for an effective Marine Corp vs. an effective submarine fleet- but both should be studied as to the effect a strong, hardworking leader can change our warfighting capability.

[Barbara J. Stepens · Rating 5 out of 5]

thetheNow that's that's a marine

What can I say, a must read for every American!!
Even I as a child during WW11 knew Chesty Puller!...my family had its share of our young men i n the marines!

They had respect and admiration for him . We listened to many stories of this positive, confident man. His firm belief in making
a young man into a marine for life is still needed today! A love for country and price in serving our country

Our country today has lost the price we had , people have strayed from upholding the values we once had. Our children have no true heros and no respect for others. Our peoples are so materiel minded, want everything right now and without earning it.
I find this true story exciting, well written, the personal correspondence between Cheery and wife revealing the strength of their love endearing, revealing the softer side of this man,. He knew himself, believed in his self and his rose through the ranks, from private to general shows his focus on learning, working hard, and attaining his promotions one at a time. Remarkable man, astounding strength to stick to ideals of the true marine. Wish we had more Chesty Pul!ens

[Gophergirl58 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently have interspersed my fiction reading with WWII History, and I found this book available on Kindle Unlimited before I cancelled the service (and I finished this book with minutes to spare before I was locked out of KU).

I had heard of Chesty Puller, but I haven’t been in the military or navy, but thought I would find out what he was like. I can honestly say that, if we had men like Puller training our Air Force, Army, Marines or Navy, our fighting forces would be much stronger and greater. Every officer should aspire as Chesty Puller did to not only really train their fighting forces, but watch over and care for them as well. This has ended up being one of the best books I’ve read in 2024; but I like military history. There’s a harsh or brutal reality as to what war is like, and while this book briefly mentions some atrocities, it doesn’t get into the horrors of war as other books have. I think at least every Marine should read this book, and maybe every person making a career in the military. Chesty Puller had a long and distinguished career in the Marines, and this book follows him throughout his career. I am glad that I found and read this book.