High on any list of American heroes is “Chesty” Puller. In World War II and Korea, he established himself as a model combat leader.
He didn’t hesitate to get his hands dirty – or bloody – himself. Sometimes the blood was his own, and some was that of enemy combatants he killed up close and personal.
Here’s an article I wrote about Puller in the most recent issue of American Handgunner magazine. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it.
Former Marine Commandant A.A. Archer had an interesting comment or two on Puller in his autobiography “Once A Marine”. I’ve got the book buried somewhere, and memory isn’t what it used to be, so I’m not going to go into details beyond that Archer got Puller a retest on some exam (for promotion?) where he turned in a blank document.
I wonder how men like Patton, Sherman, and Puller would fair in today’s media and social environment?
Lewis B. Puller’s birthday (June 26, 1898) ought to be a national holiday. Chesty was a master at knowing the enemy and was a major factor in winning many battles. He and Elmer Keith were similarly prominent in making sure that GIs got dependable weapons. I remember one particular photo of Chesty seated with his .45 semiauto in about the 2 o’clock position. Clearly he was ready to present instantly from whatever situation he was in. He may have had a refined trigger to increase the capability of threading the needle while shooting on-the-move. He operated on horseback much of the time while on duty in Latin America, and was good at polo in peace.
Very good book report. A+.
A great article about a great man!
A legend in the tradition we all try to follow. Run towards the fire when your time and duty calls. Semper Fi
what a GREAT ARTICLE! The Gen. was asst Div commander in the mid 50’s for 2nd Mar Div,when I was there. Never did see him though.
I could just see Patton and Puller getting Equity and Inclusion orders from Old Joe Biden? Oh, to be a fly on the wall of that meeting.
Fantastic article you wrote for “American Handgunner”, Massad…thanks for sharing.
Looking forward…Chris Winkley (student and advocate for all things defensive in nature)
Good night Chesty where ever you are ?
The Marine Corps night prayer!
Semper Fi !
Gorilla Man
Nice book report, Mas. Looking behind the trigger guard on the lead picture for the article, is that an “FJB” engraved there? Very appropriate if so, as I bet Chesty would be of that opinion!
One of my personal favorite Chesty quotes was when he was leading the breakout from Frozen Chosin – when informed they were surrounded by North Korean and Chinese troops, he reportedly said, “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.”
We need more like him today!
“Looking behind the trigger guard on the lead picture for the article, is that an ‘FJB’ engraved there?”
This is an inspector’s mark. It is FJA. It is the inspection mark of Lt. Col. Frank J. Atwood.
The pistol is a WW II era 1911A1. It was manufactured by Remington Rand and would have been manufactured, originally, between 1942 and 1945. It looks original but, with these guns, it is always possible that it may have, at some time or other, had an arsenal re-build.
So, this classic 1911A1 predates the political career of our glorious leader. 🙂
Just a bit more info on Remington Rand 1911A1 pistols. Here is an article that discusses them in more detail. It includes some additional information about the FJA inspector’s mark. See the comment under the photograph showing the inspector’s mark behind the trigger.
https://www.guns.com/news/2019/08/15/a-pilots-best-friend-wwii-remington-rand-m1911a1
To Marines, Chesty was God incarnate. I remember my Drill Instructor saying, “Chesty would roll over in his grave at the thought that you maggots were in his Marine Corps. It is my duty to ensure he rests easy”.
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