World War II Honoree

Lewis Burwell Puller

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Saluda, Virginia

Honored By

Mc-VMI-1943

Relationship

Friend

ATTENDED THE VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE IN THE CLASS OF 1921. BECAME A CAREER MARINE FROM HIS ENLISTMENT AS A PRIVATE UNTIL HIS RETIREMENT AS A LIEUTENANT GENERAL. HE SERVED IN HAITI, NICARAGUA. AS A COLONEL HE TOOK COMMAND OF THE 1ST BATTALION OF THE 7TH MARINE REGIMENT IN THE 1ST MARINE DIVISION. IN ACTION ON GUADALCANAL HE WON HIS THIRD NAVY CROSS. HE BECAME EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE 7TH MARINES WHEN THEY LANDED ON CAPE GLOUCESTER, NEW BRITAIN. HERE HE WAS AWARDED HIS FOURTH NAVY CROSS. IN FEBRUARY 1944 HE TOOK COMMAND OF THE 1ST MARINE REGIMENT TO A REST AREA AT PAVUVU IN THE RUSSELL ISLANDS. HE COMMANDED THE 1ST MARINES WHEN THEY LANDED AT PELELIU ON SEPTEMBER 15, 1944.DURING THIS PERIOD HE WON HIS FIFTH NAVY CROSS, AN ARMY DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS,A SILVER STAR, THE LEGION OF MERIT (2), A BRONZE STAR, THE AIR MEDAL (3) AND THE PURPLE HEART AMONG MANY OTHER DECORATIONS, MAKING HIM THE MOST DECORATED MARINE TO DATE.