Lieutenant General Lewis Berwell Puller: The Heart of the Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps, founded in 1775, is known for producing the strongest offensive soldiers who they defend our country. Their training includes amplified endurance, multiple hand-to-hand combat styles, and artillery precision. Marines are trained to be the steel of the front lines that cut and push back enemy lines. The branch achieved this commitment primarily in the 1940s and 1950s through the dedication of a warrior leader to his country and the men in his command. Lieutenant Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller is every Marine's role model due to his dedication to service, desire to improve his men through training and education, and instilling esprit de corps. Lewis B. Puller was born June 26, 1898, in West Point, Virginia, to Matthew and Martha Puller (Hickman). The boy learned responsibility early when his father died when he was ten, leaving Lewis to help his mother earn money for the family. His interest was in the military at an early age, wanting to enlist in the United States Army in 1916 but was unable to do so as he was a minor and had not received his mother's consent. 1917 took him to the Virginia Military Institute where he had the opportunity to see a Marine Corps display. He dropped out and joined the Marines instead. Chesty's dedication to serving his country made him stand out as a warrior leader, a soldier to lead by example. The military forces had to downsize after World War II, making Chesty an inactive member. He remained loyal until he was brought back into business where his career was ripe with opportunities to serve. Chesty spent 27 of 37 years of active duty at sea or overseas, holding the title of the most Naval Crosses a Marine has earned f... middle of paper... also, can admire. Puller's heart and dedication should fuel today's actions. ReferencesHickman, K. (n.d.). World War II/Korean War: Lieutenant General Lewis "Chesty" Puller. Retrieved from http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/WorldWarIILeaders/p/World-War-Ii-Korean-War-Lieutenant-General-Lewis-Chesty-Puller.htm Kellet, A. (1982). Fighting motivation. (pages 41-42). Boston, MA: Kluwer-Nijhoff Publishing.Patrick, B.K. (n.d.). Lieutenant General Lewis Berwell Extractor. Retrieved from http://www.military.com/Content/MoreContent?file=ML_puller_bkpQuintrall, M. M. L. (1998). The Chest Puller Model: Leadership Dogma or Model Doctrine. (Master's thesis, US Army Command and General Staff College). Salmoni, D.B.A., & Holmes-Eber, D.P. (2008). Operational culture for the war fighter: Principles and applications. (p. Preface). Quantico, VA: Marine Corps University.