Skip to content
FREE STANDARD SHIPPING! Use code SHIPNOW at checkout
FREE STANDARD SHIPPING! Use code SHIPNOW at checkout
Eagles On His Shoulders
September 27, 2017 Grunt.com Admin

Eagles On His Shoulders

I was in Japan on a train headed for a camp that had belonged the Japanese during WW2. I was trying to open a bottle of Japanese whiskey and who comes walking through the train, Col. Puller. He looked right at me struggling with a cork, I thought “Oh sh-t”. Nothing happened.

The next time, after I had been placed in his regiment, the 1st in Korea, I walked into a shower unit and there was this guy chewing on a cigar, taking a shower. I didn’t remember who he was when he said, “Hi.” We finished about the same time and were getting dressed when I saw the Eagles on his shoulders. There was another time I ran into Colonel Puller, this the last time was when he turned the line around at chow on Thanksgiving. Pvt’s first Pfc’s next and Officers last.

I don’t believe there was anyone who wouldn’t have followed him to h-ll because he would have gotten us back. I am very proud that I met and served under “Chesty” Puller.

Cpl. J. R. Morris 1051995
First replacement Korea 1950

Filed in: Marine Corps Stories
Previous article Lineage of the USMC Eagle, Globe and Anchor

Comments

Doug (“Junior”) Helmers, H.Q. Battery 11th Marines, Comm. Section ’68-’69 - June 7, 2020

H.Q. Battery, 11th Marines, Vietnam. Aug. 1968. The first Comm. NCO I worked under was MSgt. Mitchell. He, too, had the distinction of serving under/with Puller.

“Top” Mitchell had enlisted in our Corps in early 1942, at age 16, he told us.
After his Para Marines unit was beat up on Tulagi, during Guadalcanal invasion, they were sent to “The Canal” to flesh out units of 1st Marine Division. Mitchell earned a Silver Star for actions on Edson’s Ridge fight.MSgt. Mitchell was in Puller’s unit after being pulled back to Australia for recovering, re-quipping, and replacement troops.

Returning from liberty to his bivouac fifteen minutes late one night, young Mitchell went before Puller who assigned him one week in the brig, bread and water!!

Truly they were The Old Breed. It was an honor to have served under Top Mitchell, who was partly shaped by future General Puller.

GREGORY PAWLIK - June 7, 2020

I was part of the burial detail for General Puller along with Marines of Marine Barracks Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Virginia in 1971. The General and his wife used the base PX and when he passed away the Marines at the barracks that had dress blues were tasked with standing watch at the funeral home and at the church before the burial. Two Marines stood at parade rest at his casket through the night at the church until the funeral service. All that participated had a letter entered into their service record book acknowledging their service.

Hansnjw cpl usmc - June 7, 2020

We said in 80 when I graduated plt1044. And I say it every nite since then.

Larry Pacino - June 7, 2020

Boot Camp P.I.1962,Ptl.351 every nite GOOD NITE CHESTY WERE EVER YOU ARE.

Robert McLeod - June 7, 2020

When ever I see some person walking a bull dog that reminds me of Chesty ! The mascot of the Marine Corps I always call the dog Chesty and explain to the owner why i called the dog Chesty and tell them about General Puller of the USMC.

Barney Lenihan - June 7, 2020

Had the honor this summer to visit the grave site of Gen. Puller with fellow members of Delta 1/5 RVN. We paid our respects as we should and hoisted a toast in his honor. Beautiful setting and wonderful feeling. Semper Fi.

Phillip E Ramsey - June 7, 2020

I’ve been out for a while, but when times are tough for me or a loved one, I say it and thank him for being a marine

Charlie Montoya 7685 - June 7, 2020

WOULD OF BEEN THE MOST HONORABLE MOMENT IN LIFE TIME EXPERIENCE TO WOULD HAVE SERVED*&*LEAD BY GODS CORPS MOST PRESTIGIOUS LEADER UNCLE CHESTY PULLER….

Andrew H. Gardner - June 7, 2020

We still said the same thing at PI Plt 231 1969

Sgt Robert L Sisson - June 7, 2020

We said it in 68 and a friend of mine just told mr last week that they said it in 76

Leave a comment

* Required fields