Chesty Puller

In the Confederate Army, an officer was judged by stark courage alone, and this made it possible for the Confederacy to live four years.

— Chesty Puller

I want to go where the guns are.

— Chesty Puller

Where the Hell do you put the bayonet?

— Chesty Puller

I wish I had a flair for writing, as then I am certain this regiment would get the credit due them when the history of this operation is finally written. Now everyone knows, but in a few years what is written will govern. I will do a better job of getting the facts in my reports than I did in the past war. I will also claim everything due the regiment.

— Chesty Puller

I assure you, Virginia, that I, never in my life, have ever made a statement that "I like to fight."

— Chesty Puller

I have yet to encounter any officer here who has read an account of the Russo-Japanese War. The Japanese armies went up through Korea, crossed the Yalu River and turned westward to capture Port Arthur. The Japs found out what cold weather would do to the troops under field conditions.

— Chesty Puller

Our Eighth Army headquarters is still in Seoul. I don’t understand how they expect the troops to reach the Yalu River without their leaders.

— Chesty Puller

I'll take care of my men first. Frozen troops can't fight. If we run out of ammunition, we'll go to the bayonet.

— Chesty Puller

Let 'em get in close. Don’t waste ammo. Get your share! Remember, you don't hurt 'em if you don't hit 'em.

— Chesty Puller

We've been looking for the enemy for some time now. We've finally found him. We're surrounded. That simplifies things.

— Chesty Puller

The Continental Army never went through anything like those boys in Korea. The weather at the Chosin Reservoir averaged 25 degrees below zero. and it doesn't get that cold at Valley Forge.

— Chesty Puller

If you want to get the most out of your men, give them a break! Don't make them work completely in the dark. If you do, they won't do a bit more than they have to. But if they comprehend, they'll work like mad.

— Chesty Puller

In the Confederate Army, an officer was judged by stark courage alone, and this made it possible for the Confederacy to live four years.

— Chesty Puller

If you want to get the most out of your men, give them a break! Don't make them work completely in the dark. If you do, they won't do a bit more than they have to. But if they comprehend, they'll work like mad.

— Chesty Puller