Chesty Puller

Lieutenant General

Lewis Burwell Puller
Lieutenant General; Lewis Burwell Puller
	Puller in 1950
Nickname(s)	"Chesty"
Born	June 26, 1898; West Point, Virginia, U.S.
Died	October 11, 1971 (aged 73); Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
Buried	Christ Church Cemetery; Christchurch, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1918–1955
Rank	Lieutenant General
Unit	1st Marine Division
Commands	2nd Marine Division; 3rd Marine Division; 1st Marines; 1st Battalion, 7th Marines; 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines
Battles / wars	See list Banana Wars Occupation of Haiti; Occupation of Nicaragua Battle of Agua Carta; Battle of El Sauce; ; ; World War II Guadalcanal campaign Actions along the Matanikau Battle for Henderson Field; ; ; Operation Cartwheel New Britain campaign Battle of Cape Gloucester; ; ; Mariana and Palau Islands campaign Battle of Peleliu; ; ; Korean War Battle of Inchon; Second Battle of Seoul; Battle of Chosin Reservoir; ;
Awards	Navy Cross (5); Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star; Legion of Merit w/ "V" Device (2); Bronze Star Medal w/ "V" Device; Air Medal (3); Purple Heart
Spouse(s)	Virginia Montague Evans
Children	3, including Lewis Burwell Puller Jr.

Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller (June 26, 1898 – October 11, 1971) was a United States Marine Corps officer. Beginning his career fighting guerillas in Haiti and Nicaragua as part of the Banana Wars, he later served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War as a senior officer. By the time of his retirement in 1955, he had reached the rank of lieutenant general.

Puller is the most decorated Marine in American history. He was awarded five Navy Crosses and one Distinguished Service Cross. With six crosses, Puller is second behind Eddie Rickenbacker for citations of the nation's second-highest military award for valor. Puller retired from the Marine Corps in 1955, after 37 years of service. He lived in Virginia and died in 1971 at age 73.