Lewis Puller (FFG 23) - Naval Cruise Book

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Then Lt. Col Chesty Puller, somewhere in the South Pacific, recovering from , Guadalcanal, OCTOBER. 1943 (DOD PHOTO) wound received A MARINE ' S MARINE . . . Lieutenant General Lewis B. Ciiesty Puller was the only Marine ever to win the Navy Cross five times for heroism and gallantry in action. The General was born at West Point, Virginia. June 26, 1898. He died October 11. 1971 in Hampton. Virginia. While attending Virginia Military Institute he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps in 1918 but was placed on inactive duty as a Marine Reserve 2nd Lieutenant after World War I. He rejoined 30 days later and served 5 years with the Gendarmerie d ' Haiti, after which he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1924. Twenty-seven of his thirty-seven years as a Marine he spent at sea or overseas, including command of the famous Horse Marines in China in 1933. He was one of the most decorated Marines in history and was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Cross and his fifth Navy Cross for heroism in action as Commander of the 1st Marines Division, in 1950 in Korea; the other four were earned in Nicaragua in 1930 and 1932, and in Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester during World War U. The General also holds the Legion of Merit with Combat V and Gold Star; the Army Silver Medal; and the Air Medal with 2 Gold Stars. The Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal he earned during WWII. His other medals and decorations include the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars; the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with Bronze Star; the WWI Victory Medal with West Indies clasp, and WWII Victory Medal; the Haitian Campaign Medal; the 2nd Nicaraguan Campaign Medal; the Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Star; the China Service Medal; the American Defense Service Medal with Base clasp; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars; the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal with Silver Star; the United Nations Service Medal, the Haitian Medaille Militaire; the Nicaraguan Presidential Medal of Merit with Diploma; the Republic of Korea ' s Ulchi Medal with Gold Star; and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation with Oak Leaf Cluster. The General ' s last active duty station was Camp Lejeune. North Carolina, where he was commanding the 2nd Marine Division when he became seriously ill. forcing him to retire November 1, 1955, at which time he was promoted to Lieutenant General.

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V ifcu x : J5fi. •- •=- -J -, 13 January 19S4 To the Men of USS LEWIS B. PULLER, On this first deployment of -CHESTY PULLER, my heart goes forth to you and your fighting ship. I pray that she will help deter conflict, and know that you who man her will always be ready to defend this Nation ' s precious freedoms. My husband, Lieutenant General Lewis B. Chesty Puller, the Marine whose name your ship bears, held a revered place in his heart for those who are on the Navy-Marine Corps team. General Puller lived to serve our wonderful country. He was a combat Marine who led by example and personal courage. He believed there is an obligation to bear arms, and practiced soldierly discipline by personal heroism and devotion to duty. I know you will carry this proud heritage of service under arms in the days and months ahead. May God bless this ship and her men with fair winds and following seas. ' !ji, V iJ 1 V ' -c .WL, Pui.tl2. ,

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COMMANDING OFFICER CAPTAIN RALPH K. MARTIN, USN Captain Martin was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvan- ia. He attended Pennsylvania State University and a graduate school at the University of Wisconsin. He was commissioned in June 1964. and served during the Vietnam War in USS D AVIS (DD-937) and USS HERBERT J. THOMAS (DD-833). Captain Martin later served m USS CHEHALIS (PG-94) as Commanding Officer and as Executive Officer in USS DEWEY (DDG-45). From 1972 to 1975, Captain Martin was assigned in the Office of Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff for Strategic Arms Negotiations, and in J-5, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In this period he served as an advisor to the US. SALT Delegation in Helsinki, Finland, and Geneva, Switzerland, He was also the representative of the Chairman. Joint Chiefs of Staff, negotiating procedures for the dismantlement and replacement of strategic weapons systems with Soviet representatives in the SALT Standing Consultative Commission. Captain Martin served as Chief Staff Officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron Five from January 1977 through March 1978, and was the Communications Activities Placement Officer in the Navy Military Personnel Command from April 1978 until May 1979, Captain Martin performed duties as the Navy Aide to General Robert H. Barrow, USMC, Commandant of the Marine Corps, from May 1979 until January 1981. Personal United States decorations worn by Captain Martin include the Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.