Far and away, the most decorated Marine in history is Chesty Puller. The only highly decorated Marine comes to mind with FIVE Navy Crosses (second only to the Medal of Honor). Lieutenant General Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller leads the list of his fellow Marines and most decorated soldiers in the United States military history.
The Most Decorated Marine
The most decorated Marine in US Marine Corps history is a Chesty Puller, born as Lewis Burwell Puller in West Point, Virginia. On June 26, 1898, he was born to Matthew and Martha Puller. Chesty left this world behind on October 11, 1971, and went into legend. He ended his career as a lieutenant general in United States Marine Corps and as the most decorated Marine in American history.
From guerrillas in Haiti and Nicaragua to World War II and the Korean War, Chesty Puller fought his way to the most decorated Marine in US Marine Corps history. That way was full of courage and sacrifice. He retired from the US Marine Corps in 1955 after 37 years full of pride and glory and returned to Virginia, where he spent his last days.
How his career is so remarkable describes that Chesty Puller is one of two U.S. servicemen to be awarded five Navy Crosses in U.S. military history so far. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the United States Army, making him the only person to have received six of the nation’s second-highest awards for bravery.
Awards and decorations
- Navy Cross w/ four 5/16 inch gold stars Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Medal
- Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Medal
- Silver Star MedalLegion of Merit w/ Combat “V” w/ one 5/16 inch gold star Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat “V” Air Medal w/ two 5/16 inch gold stars Purple Heart Medal
- Legion of Merit w/ Combat “V” w/ one 5/16 inch gold star Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat “V” Air Medal w/ two 5/16 inch gold stars Purple Heart Medal
- Bronze Star Medal w/ Combat “V” Air Medal w/ two 5/16 inch gold stars Purple Heart Medal
- Air Medal w/ two 5/16 inch gold stars Purple Heart Medal
- Purple Heart Medal
- Presidential Unit Citation w/ four 3/16 inch bronze service stars Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/ one 3/16 inch bronze service star Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal w/ one 3/16 inch bronze service star World War I Victory Medal w/ West Indies clasp
- Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal w/ one 3/16 inch bronze service star
- Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal w/ one 3/16 inch bronze service star
- World War I Victory Medal w/ West Indies clasp
- Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal w/ one 3/16 inch bronze service star
- World War I Victory Medal w/ West Indies clasp
- World War I Victory Medal w/ West Indies clasp Haitian Campaign Medal (1921)
- Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933)
- China Service Medal American Defense Service Medal w/ Base clasp
- Haitian Campaign Medal (1921)
- Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933) China Service Medal American Defense Service Medal w/ Base clasp
- Nicaraguan Campaign Medal (1933) China Service Medal American Defense Service Medal w/ Base clasp
- China Service Medal American Defense Service Medal w/ Base clasp
- American Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ four 3/16 inch bronze service stars World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/ four 3/16 inch bronze service stars World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal
- World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal
- Korean Service Medal w/ one 3/16 inch silver service star Haitian Médaille
- Haitian Médaille Militaire
- Nicaraguan Presidential Medal of Merit w/ Diploma Nicaraguan Cross of Valor with Diploma
- Nicaraguan Cross of Valor with DiplomaKorean Order of Military Merit, Eulji Cordon Medal Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Cravat[15] Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation United Nations Service Medal for Korea
- Korean Order of Military Merit, Eulji Cordon Medal Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Cravat[15] Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation United Nations Service Medal for Korea
- Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special CravatRepublic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation United Nations Service Medal for Korea
- Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation United Nations Service Medal for Korea
- United Nations Service Medal for Korea
In addition, to his military awards, Chesty Puller has received numerous honors due to his Marine Corps service. He is still one of the most recognized warriors in U.S. Military history and a figure among Marines, which will work for sure last forever. He will probably remain the most decorated Marine for years.