Near Saluda in Middlesex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Tomb of Puller
Photographed By J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010
1. Tomb of Puller Marker
Erected 1972 by Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number N-49.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Korean. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list.
Location. 37° 36.5′ N, 76° 32.783′ W. Marker is near Saluda, Virginia, in Middlesex County. Marker is at the intersection of General Puller Highway (Virginia Route 33) and Christchurch Drive, on the left when traveling east on General Puller Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saluda VA 23149, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. St. Clare Walker High School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Scottish Factors Store (approx. 1.2 miles away); Christ Church (approx. 1.2 miles away); Rosegill (approx. 1.8 miles away); Urbanna Creek
this page online
Also see . . . Lieutenant General Lewis B. Puller, USMC. “Lieutenant General Lewis B. ‘Chesty’ Puller was a colorful veteran of the Korean War, four World War II campaigns, and expeditionary service in China, Nicaragua, and Haiti. He was the only Marine to win the Navy Cross five times for heroism and gallantry in combat. A Marine officer and enlisted man for 37 years, General Puller served at sea or overseas for all but ten of those years, including a hitch as commander of the ‘Horse Marines’ in China. Excluding medals from foreign governments, he won a total of 14 personal decorations in combat, plus a long list of campaign medals, unit citation ribbons and other awards. In addition to the Navy Crosses, the highest honor the Navy can bestow, he holds its Army equivalent, the Distinguished Service Cross.” (Submitted on January 29, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
Additional commentary.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010
2. Tomb of Puller Marker
From the Wikipedia entry. General Puller remains a well known figure in Marine Corps folklore, with both true and exaggerated tales of his experiences being constantly recounted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
A common incantation in Marine Corps boot camp is to end one’s day with the declaration, “Good night, Chesty Puller, wherever you are!”
In Marine recruit training and OCS cadences, Marines chant “It was good for Chesty Puller/And it's good enough for me” — Chesty is symbolic of the esprit de corps of the Marines.
Chesty is loved by enlisted men for his constant actions to improve their lot. Puller insisted upon good equipment and discipline; once he came upon a second lieutenant who had ordered an enlisted man to salute him 100 times for missing a salute. Chesty told the Lieutenant: “You were absolutely correct in making him salute you 100 times Lieutenant, but you know that an officer must return every salute he receives. Now return them all.”
While on duty in Hawaii and inspecting the armory, Puller fined himself $100 for discharging a .45 caliber pistol, although the charge for his men was only $20.
— Submitted January 29, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
Additional keywords.
Courtesy USMC
3. Lieutenant General Lewis "Chesty" Puller
(1898–1971)
(1898–1971)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010
4. The Tomb of Lewis Burwell Puller
The inscription reads “Lewis Burwell Puller, Lieutenant General, United States Marine Corps; June 26, 1898 – Oct. 11, 1971. Husband of Virginia Montague Evans, son of Martha Leigh and Matthew Puller. Semper Fidelis.”
Photographed By J. J. Prats, January 16, 2010
5. The Puller Gravesite
His wife lays beside him. The inscription on her gravestone reads “Virginia Montague Evans, February 19, 1908 – February 4, 2006, wife of Lewis Burwell Puller, daughter of Virginia McClandish and William Evans.”
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,549 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 29, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
