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There's more about Major John W Puller in a book excerpt from The Story of Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC by Jon T Hoffman (Random House , 2002). I don't know the author's source(s).
Thanks for raising his name and prompting me to look into the Major. I'm always glad to learn, particularly about the men of Sharpsburg. The connection to Chesty Puller is a bonus.
I once drove by Chesty's house and looked, but didn't have the guts to knock. The thought of HIM looking at me was just too daunting - (I needed a haircut)
I could have shot myself when I heard he loved to have Marines drop in like that, and that he would insist on them coming in for a chat. He had passed away by that time.
sigh - my chance to meet one of the greatest fighting men who ever lived
I understand where you are coming from on this one.
I had the honor to see General of the Army Omar Bradley once when I was stationed at Ft. Bliss Texas with the 3d Armored Division,
He was a shrunken shell of a man, gaunt and frail, being pushed in a wheelchair by a young Army Spec7. His hair was wispy and white, but his eyes were clear and cool and they commanded respect when they looked at you without a word being said.
He was dressed in his Army greens and had those five stars on his shoulders, and when he passed me on the sidewalk, I had the honor of snapping to attention and giving him my best salute.
I had a moment of panic, wondering what the hell I could say to such a man if he stopped and wanted to talk. It was with a mixture of relief and regret when he was wheeled on by. Like you said, a missed opportunity I will always regret.
Puller and Bradley, they broke the mold after they made those two legends.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
Puller and Bradley, they broke the mold after they made those two legends.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
Neil,
When I was in Hawai'i my boss's quarters on Pearl Harbor were the Chesty Puller Quarters. They are reserved for the ranking Marine officer. Great photos and plaques inside.
THe entire 4 years I was in Hawaii, living at Schofield, I never knew about Chesty Pullers quarters.
I was working up at the Kunia Tunnel, 3 stories underneath the Dole Pineapple field. Where were you assigned?
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
Been hanging back to hide my ignorance of who in the hey was Lewis Puller? Then you guys began to pull in "Chesty" and Bradley, and I began to see. Unfortunately, the only notable I met was Joe Foss. Anyone remember him?
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
THe entire 4 years I was in Hawaii, living at Schofield, I never knew about Chesty Pullers quarters.
I was working up at the Kunia Tunnel, 3 stories underneath the Dole Pineapple field. Where were you assigned?
Sincerely,
Unionblue
Neil,
I was assigned to the US Pacific Command J3 Directorate at Camp Smith, but I lived on Hickam AFB. Hickam has a gate that connects with Pearl Harbor. Interestingly, the Pacific Air Forces headquarters building on Hickam was built before World War II. It still has the bullet holes from Japanese planes strafing it during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Been hanging back to hide my ignorance of who in the hey was Lewis Puller? Then you guys began to pull in "Chesty" and Bradley, and I began to see. Unfortunately, the only notable I met was Joe Foss. Anyone remember him?
Ole
Ole, I sure do. I never met him but I know about him. He was a Marine fighter pilot, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor, Governor of South Dakota, and the first Commissioner of the American Football League. He was a real character and a great American. The Sioux Falls, SD airport is named Joe Foss Field in his honor.
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