Mr. Johnson, unless there was a different son, Lewis Puller was Chesty’s son who went to Viet Nam as a Marine Officer and his legs were blown up by an IED and he returned to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital where he was rehabilitated and subsequently wrote a book, the title borrowed from a Credence Clearwater Revival song, “Fortunate Son.”
Sir, you are correct. However, I did not wish to tarnish his name, as he later committed suicide. In my poor mind I attribute his death to Vietnam along with several thousands who have committed suicide after their service in the Republic of South Vietnam. Suicide is not a weakness.
Mr. Johnson, I am friends with Tran Van Ca, who established Viet Nam in Assistance to the Handicapped
https://www.vnah-hev.org, formed in Northern Virginia in 1991 where I lived & served as a Detective, primarily working Vietnamese-on-Vietnamese crime between 1985-1992.
Tran Van Ca held fund raising dinners two or three times each year. Lewis Puller, Jr., James Webb & many other American War heroes & Veterans were always at those dinners. I hung out with the Vietnamese merchants and Ca. Though I went to VMI during the Vietnamese War, I was in the first draft lottery and was never called-up. I read Chesty’s biography in February 1994 and Lewis, Jr’s autobiography two months before he expired. I never met him, but I knew that he did much for the Vietnamese people who were physically & mentally wounded from that War - just as American soldiers were. A school was built in the highlands of Vietnam and named after Lewis, Jr. ; it was funded by many American donors and coordinated by Tran Van Ca.
I have been trained as a Chaplain and do not see suicide, drug addiction or alcoholism as a “weakness.”
The pressures on any son of a sports or military hero are complex. I can safely say that only God understands all of the complexities. And He is full of Grace and Mercy.
I knew how to find my way to the Chapel at Ft. Myer where Lewis Puller, Jr’s ceremony was held on a beautiful spring day in May, 1994. In that chapel, I saw many Veterans of Wars including this who attended Tran Van Ca’s fund raising dinners, I greeted the Vietnamese merchants I knew from my Detective job. I walked from the Chapel to the grave thinking all the way down and back how that War had affected its Veterans just as my father’s War affected its Veterans.
I had 40 cousins, 2 committed suicide. On my first night as a cop, we had a double suicide. On my first December as a police Detective, I worked 3 suicides. I attended those 5 autopsies between 1982 and 1984. For my Chaplain certification, I took the training on “Suicide” about 5 years ago.
Yes, I explained much - for you. Chesty’s and Lewis Puller, Jr. were complex men, having many virtues.
I appreciate how you sought to shield the public from the knowledge of Lewis, Jr’s final chapter. On that day, I believe that God loved Lewis, Jr. as much as He did on the day he was born.
May God bless you for honoring the Puller men. God is always full of Grace and Mercy and only He can fully understand the complexities of each of our lives. As He sorted things out for the son, I am sure He was Gracious.
Even though I'm originally from Idaho, I'm a Confederate through, and through! I lived in s w Georgia for a while, and fit right in. This Marine, has an EXCELLENT heritage!
His son was just like him in courage and faithfulness. Unfortunately, he was killed in Vietnam. Like Father, Like Son!
Mr. Johnson, unless there was a different son, Lewis Puller was Chesty’s son who went to Viet Nam as a Marine Officer and his legs were blown up by an IED and he returned to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital where he was rehabilitated and subsequently wrote a book, the title borrowed from a Credence Clearwater Revival song, “Fortunate Son.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Burwell_Puller_Jr.
Blessings to all who honor Chesty & his son.
https://vvhp-bill.vietvet.org/vcf2.htm#:~:text=%22It%20was%20his%20dream%20to,his%20and%20his%20family's%20lives.
Sir, you are correct. However, I did not wish to tarnish his name, as he later committed suicide. In my poor mind I attribute his death to Vietnam along with several thousands who have committed suicide after their service in the Republic of South Vietnam. Suicide is not a weakness.
Mr. Johnson, I am friends with Tran Van Ca, who established Viet Nam in Assistance to the Handicapped
https://www.vnah-hev.org, formed in Northern Virginia in 1991 where I lived & served as a Detective, primarily working Vietnamese-on-Vietnamese crime between 1985-1992.
Tran Van Ca held fund raising dinners two or three times each year. Lewis Puller, Jr., James Webb & many other American War heroes & Veterans were always at those dinners. I hung out with the Vietnamese merchants and Ca. Though I went to VMI during the Vietnamese War, I was in the first draft lottery and was never called-up. I read Chesty’s biography in February 1994 and Lewis, Jr’s autobiography two months before he expired. I never met him, but I knew that he did much for the Vietnamese people who were physically & mentally wounded from that War - just as American soldiers were. A school was built in the highlands of Vietnam and named after Lewis, Jr. ; it was funded by many American donors and coordinated by Tran Van Ca.
I have been trained as a Chaplain and do not see suicide, drug addiction or alcoholism as a “weakness.”
The pressures on any son of a sports or military hero are complex. I can safely say that only God understands all of the complexities. And He is full of Grace and Mercy.
I knew how to find my way to the Chapel at Ft. Myer where Lewis Puller, Jr’s ceremony was held on a beautiful spring day in May, 1994. In that chapel, I saw many Veterans of Wars including this who attended Tran Van Ca’s fund raising dinners, I greeted the Vietnamese merchants I knew from my Detective job. I walked from the Chapel to the grave thinking all the way down and back how that War had affected its Veterans just as my father’s War affected its Veterans.
I had 40 cousins, 2 committed suicide. On my first night as a cop, we had a double suicide. On my first December as a police Detective, I worked 3 suicides. I attended those 5 autopsies between 1982 and 1984. For my Chaplain certification, I took the training on “Suicide” about 5 years ago.
Yes, I explained much - for you. Chesty’s and Lewis Puller, Jr. were complex men, having many virtues.
I appreciate how you sought to shield the public from the knowledge of Lewis, Jr’s final chapter. On that day, I believe that God loved Lewis, Jr. as much as He did on the day he was born.
May God bless you for honoring the Puller men. God is always full of Grace and Mercy and only He can fully understand the complexities of each of our lives. As He sorted things out for the son, I am sure He was Gracious.
Even though I'm originally from Idaho, I'm a Confederate through, and through! I lived in s w Georgia for a while, and fit right in. This Marine, has an EXCELLENT heritage!
🩷🩷
Thanks for the information, Mr. Hannum. Please be safe out there on the streets.
This man was NO ORDINARY GI. He is THE most famous MARINE (possibly) in the HISTORY of The Marines.
You got that right!