This one goes out to Chesty…

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- (Nov. 2, 2005) -- - Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller is, hands down, the Marine’s Marine. He looked out for morale, stood up for what was right, stayed combat-ready, and when the time came to send rounds downrange, his rounds hit their mark.

Chesty isn’t physically with us anymore, but three units within the II Marine Expeditionary Force were recognized Nov. 2 for keeping his memory and mission accomplishment alive.

The Lieutenant General Chesty Puller Award for Sustained Superior Leadership and Performance originated approximately a year ago to commend a small, medium and large-size unit on superior leadership. The Puller award changes hands bi-annually to units within the II Marine Expeditionary Force.

II MEF Commanding General, Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, explained the award is a “leadership” award, and not a “safety” award; it encompasses a multitude of factors, such as deployment readiness, mission accomplishment, re-enlistment rates, and training statistics. It follows that a unit that has outstanding leadership is going to be a leader in all areas to include safety and force preservation.. “When I sat down on the board to select a winner, there were a lot of units within (II MEF) who were in the ball field," said Amos, "but no one crossed over the home plate like (2nd Marine Division) had.”

The small category winner of the award was “D” Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Because “Delta” Company is currently in Iraq, the award was presented by Amos via video teleconference. Delta was singled out of the crowd for having every Marine enrolled in Professional Military Education, complete a physical fitness test and medical and dental preparedness.

“You brought everyone with you to the fight,” said Amos. “I need every Marine and sailor in the fight. Not just some, but all,” said Amos, noting that administrative details can sometimes stop Marines from deploying.

The medium category Chesty Puller award was given to 2nd Tank Battalion as a whole. From the support of operational deployments, like aggressive and innovative pre-deployment training, and continued general support of the force, the battalion distinguished themselves in the eyes of its command. During the period when almost half of the battalion deployed at various times, the battalion maintained its preeminent position as an operational innovator and continued front runner in force protection with no Class A or Class B mishaps.

The large unit award went to 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Amos noted the battalion has emphasized personal and unit accountability to ensure that Marines look out for themselves and each other. The Battalion’s force preservation plan, better educated tracker program, emphasis on mentoring, competency review boards and other positive preemptive actions have resulted in Marines and Sailors who set high standards for themselves and meet them.

Each award was accepted by the respective unit’s commanding officer, who gave a pat on the back to their Marines for “getting it done” the way it’s supposed to be. Each unit received a trophy and a lithograph image of Chesty Puller for display. At the end of the next evaluation, the trophy will be passed on to other outstanding units within the MEF.

"There's just something special about the bond of military vets and their units."

Yes, there is. I've stood on many a Parade Field over the years, and I LOVED it when the "old guys" would fall in with us, or at least be in the audience. (I'm retired Army; 32d (Red Arrow) Brigade.)

I swore I was never going to be one of those Vets that spends her time thinking about her "Glory Days" but d@mn, it's just such an important part of your life and who you are, so why not enjoy the kinship and the pride? My three best friends are Army gals, too. Nothing can come between us, and we've seen one another through marriages, divorces, births, deaths, homesickness, you name it. ;)

I met a sargeant after he gave a speech to one of my college classes. He had no fingers, thanks to the frostbite, and no legs below the knees, thanks to 2 mortars, and had a few bullet scars from where he was shot numerous times. One of the most incredible stories I've ever heard. Perhaps most incredibe is that he was laying in the middle of a frozen field when his brethen retrieved him and put him on the "dead" truck, and back at base they started to strip him and he coughed, so they put him outside the medical tent (not enough room inside) next to a guy who, a short while later, had his head explode when he shifted which caused the frozen blood on his head-wound to break open.
The inspirational part is this: The sargeant started drifting out of consiousness when he heard a voice yell "No, wait!" He woke up, looked around, and saw no one. Fast forward to the Navy hospital in Japan, he has a pretty nurse caring for him, and as he and a buddy are leaving to go to a party he'd invited her to, she called out for him to wait for her, yelling "No, wait!" -- the same voice he heard as he was about to die in Korea. She (the nurse) was with him as he told us the story, since they've been married ever since.

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