General Chesty Puller’s Ribbons
She certainly deserves it. While Coretta Scott King deserves respect, she also was a media darling. There are some heroic women who live more quiet lives as they support a husband who did great things for our nation. Virginia Puller is one of those women. You in all likelihood don’t even know who she is, specifically because she didn’t march around, or hold press conferences, engage in politics or court the media. Virginia Puller, the wife of heroic Marine legend “Chesty” Puller, died last Saturday. Her funeral is set for this Saturday. Will the president be there? Does Bill Clinton care? What are Jimmah Carter’s plans?
Virginia Puller, widow of Marine Corps hero
Virginia Montague Evans Puller, the widow of U.S. Marine Corps hero Lt. Gen. Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller, died Saturday at her home in Saluda. She was 97…Virginia Montague Evans was 29 when she married then-Marine Capt. Lewis Burwell Puller in Saluda. The new Mrs. Puller followed her husband while he served in China, Hawaii and across the United States. During World War II and the Korean War, she returned to Saluda and raised their children – Virginia and twins, Martha and Lewis Jr. – while “Chesty” Puller burnished his reputation as a courageous Marine. During his military career, he earned the Navy Cross a record five times.
The Navy Cross is the corps’ second-highest decoration behind the Medal of Honor.
That’s right. MLK and everyone else involved in the civil rights movement in the 60s owe their right to demonstrate in a free country to the actions of men like Puller and the support they received from their families. And while Americans who happen to be black do owe a great deal to MLK, the reality is they owe as much if not even more to the American military in general which has kept this nation safe and free, allowing activists to continue their work here at home.
Tammy Radio and Blog are speaking with the White House to see what official presence our government will have (or not) at Mrs. Puller’s funeral this Saturday. I’ll get you an update as soon as I know. The shame of it all is that I’m not sure what to expect, and the White House has not had an immediate answer for us.
Related Link:
Members of our armed forces are heros. Members of the families of members of the armed forces are UNSUNG heros.
Unfortunately, I get the inclination that this particular unsung hero will not be honored in the way Mrs King was (God rest both their souls)
Thanks for bringing this to our attention Ms Bruce :)
Thank you for this info and for your actions on behalf of the Pullers. Its good to see someone get recognition who didn’t toot her own horn, unlike so many of our media darlings. You’re right that we all owe our freedoms to people in the service, and those who support them. My Dad was in World War II. He’s still alive and he’s very modest about his accomplishments, flying a bomber over Nazi Germany. My Mom didn’t know him til after the war, but she has told me how people in her Pennsylvania community went about their duties and helped the war effort without making a big deal about it.
I’ve always hated the phrase “The squeeky wheel gets the grease,” because there are so many modest, quiet people who endure a lot of hardship without whining about it, and who accomplish good things without getting a nationally-televised event on their behalf. I hope Mrs. Puller gets some official recognition.
My thoughts are that she deserves the same respect as Mrs.King, but I don’t think that’s what she is going to get.
It’s to bad because she sounds like a clssy woman.
Aegil:
My Grandfather also flew over Germany in WWII as a crew chief, he might of known your father. My Grandfather flew over 60 missions, he could have left the European theatre much earlier, but he chose to stay because it was the right thing to do. He went on missions where forty bombers would go out and five would come back, he was on the first run over Berlin, and when the first jet flew. One time he got out of his plane and counted over 200 bullet holes. A true hero. He died this summer, surrounded by his family. He never boasted of what he did, we had to dig those stories out of him
I was with my grandfather once while he was talking my uncle’s wife’s dad, who was a Nazi anti-aircraft gunner in Berlin. They matched times and dates to see what times they were trying to kill each other, and then we went out to dinner. It was kind of surreal.
If your father knew Neal Boggs, you can tell him that you heard from his family.
Anyway, I know this is about Virginia Puller, I hope her family gets the respect that they deserve for their sacrice as a military family. Kudos to Tammy for personally taking this on.
I watched a biography last year on Lt. General Lewis Burwell Puller and I understand why he had the nickname “Chesty”. He was truly a marine’s marine. Not only was he a great leader in combat he was also a true gentleman always sending Virginia, the love of his life, flowers and exchanging love letters. Virginia is due much respect for the role she played but will not get the attention Mrs King recieved. Then again, she probably would not want it , being the humble woman that she was. May she rest in peace.
Lives well lived come in many forms. Virginia Puller as reminder that the force of love and goodness can be found everywhere, providing structure, security and peace in and for all of life. Some of the most important contributions often require quietness and will not be accomplished in the spotlight.
Thanks very much Political_Junkie! That’s very interesting, and I’ll pass on your information to my Dad. He flew in B-26′s in the later years of the war, so he wasn’t in as many missions as your Grandfather. It was enough to get shot at a lot though! I appreciate your comments.
“I know this is about Virginia Puller, I hope her family gets the respect that they deserve for their sacrifice as a military family. Kudos to Tammy for personally taking this on.”
Well said, PoliticalJunkie.
Well done, Miss Bruce.
I salute! Mrs. Puller and all the military wives who have honorably served their country by providing a home base for their husbands. They sacrifice so much. They don’t have a “normal” life compared to other civilians. It takes a special kind of woman to be a successful military wife.
When God made Chesty Puller he broke the mold! I bet a lot of Marine Corps officers who followed him found that out when they tried to be the next Chesty and realized it was impossible.
Thanks Tammy for bringing this up, it’s one of the reasons we love you!
I agree that Mrs. Puller would probably NOT want publicity. She certainly should receive some kind of recognition, but I would hope it would be of the kind that would preclude any possibility of being turned into another political circus. Somehow, Jimmy Carter and his minions would have to be kept away.
Of course not! Has any military member or individual serving our country been honored for their services other than a spotty photo opt for a politician?
The Health Research Group reports “1.69 million military veterans neither had health insurance nor received ongoing care at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospitals or clinics.†http://www.citizen.org/publications/release.cfm?ID=7339
This is only the tip of the ice burg that vaguely illustrates their hardship.
I agree that she should receive recognition. However, I have a feeling that it won’t happen. Hopefully the history books will have more on this amazing woman.
Somebody does check your e-mails; I thought my e-mail to you will go un-noticed, about the passing my Marine Legend’s wife. I don’t think the President will know who Chesty was, and I highly doubted that the passing of his wife would be in the media. I had to let somebody know, in hopes of honoring Chesty’s wife. It is the least I could do to honor our Marine Legend and his wife. I heard about it on the John Zeigler radio show. Thank you for honoring the memory of the wife of my Marine Legend.
I might have made a mistake, I dont remember which radio host mentioned this.
Let’s compare apples and peas…also.
What did Mimi Eisenhower get? Or any military wife when her husband passed?
The comparison just inflames and belittles what both women have had to endure while seeing their husbands achieves greatness.
Stop seeking to make a political statement with someones passing.
Semper Fi