Chesty Puller: A Marine Legend in World War II

by John Wukovits

The dramatic battlefield story Chesty Puller, Marine hero of World War II In 1942, when Chesty Puller first stepped foot onto Guadalcanal in America’s first major land campaign against Japan, he had already served two remarkable decades as a US Marine. Yet it was on that Pacific island where the Puller legend would come to life. For months, Chesty and his Marines fought the Japanese in close-up jungle combat, at times resorting to bayonets and even fists. During the Battle for Henderson Field, Puller’s Marines held off wave after wave of enemy attackers over the course of three consecutive nights. His courage under fire and unbreakable devotion to his men inspired not just those under his own command but Marines everywhere. As the war marched on, one bloody battle after another, from Guadalcanal to Peleliu, Chesty became the most decorated Marine in US history. Now, acclaimed military historian John Wukovits, author of Pacific Alamo, tells the story of Chesty Puller's incredible valor and combat leadership in the Pacific War.

Genres: Biography, War

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2021

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Marines Marine

Chesty Puller was a man who showed no fear. He was a leader who led. He was in his eleven where in battle. A man some hated and I can only assume it was because his actions highlighted all others failures. He led by example and many senior officers hated him for that as it showed their desire to remain well behind the lines where they were safe. Not Puller! This is a very well written story of a man larger than life, who loved his country and every Marine who fought for it. He looked down on his superiors who shunned duty for a warm bed and shipped their boys off to fight.

[Jer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really inspiring book that helps explain a bit about the Marine Corps and their lore while also building a greater appreciation for jungle warfare, what it’s like in the Pacific, and how much WWII vets in that AOR went through.

The fact that it’s a biography keeps you pushing through the really rough stuff (in a good way) - highly recommend.