Chesty Puller, was a United States Marine Corps officer. Known for his leadership in numerous battles during World War II and the Korean War, he is one of the most decorated members of the Marine Corps. Infamous for his quick wit and tough demeanor, Puller provided many memorable quotes throughout his service. Here are 20 of his most popular:
- “All right, they’re on our left, they’re on our right, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us…they can’t get away this time.”
- “Take me to the Brig. I want to see the real Marines.”
- “We are United States Marines, and for two and a quarter centuries we have defined the standards of courage, esprit, and military prowess.”
- “We’re surrounded. That simplifies the problem!”
- “Good night Chesty, wherever you are!”
- “They are in front of us, behind us, and we are flanked on both sides by an enemy that outnumbers us 29:1. They can’t get away from us now!”
- “Our country won’t go on forever, if we stay soft as we are now. There won’t be any America because some foreign soldier will invade us and take our women and breed a hardier race.”
- “The mail service has been excellent out here, and in my opinion this is all that the Air Force has accomplished during the war.”
- “You don’t hurt ’em if you don’t hit ’em.”
- “Don’t forget that you’re First Marines! Not all the Communists in hell can overrun you!”
- “There are not enough Chinamen in the world to stop a fully armed Marine regiment from going where ever they want to go.”
- “They are a damn sight better than the U.S. Army.”
- “Retreat? Hell, we’re just attacking in another direction.”
- “If we went to war with them, we could beat them with a stick.”
- “Old breed? New breed? There’s not a damn bit of difference so long as it’s the Marine breed.”
- “I’ve always believed that you should never, ever give up and you should always keep fighting even when there’s only a slightest chance.”
- “Pain is weakness leaving the body.”
- “So they’ve got us surrounded, good! Now we can fire in any direction, those bastards won’t get away this time!”
- “We make generals today on the basis of their ability to write a damned letter. Those kinds of men can’t get us ready for war.”
- “You’re not a Marine until you’re dead.”
Chesty Puller’s quotes not only capture his brave, fiery spirit, but they also reflect the dauntlessness, camaraderie and relentless commitment of the United States Marine Corps. His words continue to inspire and motivate new generations of Marines and non-Marines alike.