Talk:Chesty Puller

This comes from a family friend whose name was Don. Don served as a Navy Corpsman in WWII and was assigned to Guadalcanal in the fall of 1942. Colonel Puller had been wounded and was supposed to get "Bedrest" for several days. Don had the duty of keeping him in bed. Of course, that did not work!!

On the second day, Don checked on the Colonel to find him fully dressed, armed and heading out. Don said something like, "Colonel, you are supposed to be in bed." Chesty said something like, "Thank you, Petty Officer, for doing your duty.  I just need to check on a few things and will be right back.  Do you think there is any kippered herring on this island?  If you can find any, let me know!"

Chesty was gone for 3 days and on his return did not need any (real) medical attention, but he did appreciate the two cans of kippers that Don had found/cumshawed. The Colonel was gone before sunup the next day but on return would always look up Don to see about the Kipper Supply.

In 1970, after Parris Island and Camp LJ, I bought two cans of kippers. I never had the chance to give them to General Puller. In 1975 as a Sergeant, I placed them on his grave.

"Good Night, Chesty Puller, Wherever you are."

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