Chesty Puller

War Hero

Birthday June 26, 1898

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace West Point, VA

DEATH DATE Oct 11, 1971 (73)

#81175 Most Popular

About

United States Marine Corps commander who earned five Navy Crosses for his service in World War II and the Korean War.

Before Fame

He grew up in Virginia and spent his youth idolizing the renowned Civil War General, Stonewall Jackson. He briefly attended the Virginia Military Institute and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as soon as he could.

Trivia

He was portrayed by actor William Sadler in the acclaimed HBO miniseries, The Pacific.

Family Life

His son, Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr., suffered serious injuries while serving as a Marine in Vietnam.

Associated With

He was a distant relative of the decorated U.S. Army General, George S. Patton. Both Puller and Patton served in key battles of World War II.