Chesty Puller was not known as an outwardly religious man. Nevertheless, he took an active interest in the religious welfare of his men and made sure frequent services were held, especially for his troops in the front lines. He wanted the chaplains to do their jobs and to be with their men. He became incensed when his Protestant chaplain remained in a rear area during an extensive patrol into enemy-held areas. The chaplain protested that he thought he could do more working in a medical station caring for the wounded. Puller shouted, “ You weren’t up where the fighting was. I think I’ll prefer charges against you for being absent from your regiment. Your place was with the fighting men—your battalion.”177
Due to this incident and others not known, Puller formed some strong opinions about chaplains and their denominations. He complained that, “ In all our fighting I’ve known only a few Protestant chaplains worth their rations. ” After the war, he made another pointed comment to his Episcopal bishop in Virginia: “ I can’t understand why our Church sends such poorly prepared men as chaplains when fighting breaks out. The Catholics pick the very best, young, virile, active and patriotic. The troops look up to them.”178
Chesty Puller’s opinions on clergy reflect his own experience, and I don’t know how generally true they were. I cite his comments only to point out that his priorities were in the right place, for himself, his officers, and his chaplains. We can’t effectively lead our families, employees, or congregations from a distance. We need to be “in the trenches” where the problems and frustrations can be understood and dealt with.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
May 11
Sgt. John Basilone is a Marine Corps legend. Nicknamed “Manila John” by his men, he single-handedly held a key position defending the line on Guadalcanal against an all-out Japanese assault on October 24, 1942. Noticing one of his machine-gun positions silenced during the battle, he carried another gun and tripod, weighing about ninety pounds, across two hundred yards of fire-swept terrain and took up the fight by himself. During the night he retraced his steps to get more ammunition, holding his position all night under repeated attacks. For these feats he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism on Iwo Jima, where he was tragically killed in action on February 19, 1945.
In between these battles Basilone returned to the United States, where he traveled the country, speaking on behalf of the war effort. The Marine Corps offered to commission him an officer and to assign him to stateside duty. His response, “ I ain’t no officer, and I ain’t no museum piece. I belong back with my outfit.”179
Before returning to duty in the Pacific, he found time to pen a thoughtful prayer for publication in the
O God, I confess that I did not really appreciate the value of religious freedom until I was wholly certain of the righteousness of our course. Born of humble parentage I was not endowed with a spiritual expressiveness. Since my exploits I was uplifted by the power of Christ. It was He who watched over me with an unmistakable sign of divine guidance. How I ever was spared from the Great Beyond only the Lord knows. I pray each night for my comrades who paid the Supreme Sacrifice and I know that they are triumphant inhabitants of heaven white flowers of a blameless life. I now carry the riches of God in my heart something that I shall forever be thankful for. Almighty God, I ask for your continued guidance. Please redeem and purify humanity, for thine is the power forever and ever. Amen.180
Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.
May 12
Coast Guard personnel were an important part of the amphibious forces assembled for the Guadalcanal operation. Many of them came from lifeguard stations and their experience with small boats in rough seas was invaluable. They proved to be seasoned coxswains for the all-important landing craft moving men and supplies from ship to shore.
Douglas Munro was one of these Coast Guard sailors. He distinguished the Coast Guard and himself by heroically rescuing a group of Marines in trouble on Guadalcanal. The Higgins boats used by Munro in this action were thirty-four foot plywood craft with no protection for the crews. The story is best told in Munro’s Medal of Honor citation:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as Officer- in-Charge of a group of Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a Battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on September 27, 1942… Munro, under constant risk of his life, daringly led five of his small craft toward the shore. As he closed the beach, he signaled the others to land, and then placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation was nearly completed, Munro was killed by enemy fire… By his outstanding leadership, expert planning, and dauntless devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished. He gallantly gave up his life in defense of his country.181
Douglas Munro grew up in the small town of Cle Elum, Washington. He showed an early aptitude for music and was a leader in his high school and college bands. In 1939 he was twenty years old when he felt the call to serve his country. He picked the Coast Guard because “ it was dedicated to saving lives.”182 By putting this mission before his own life, he became the only member of the U.S. Coast Guard to receive the Medal of Honor.
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
