USMC 1st Lieutenant, Lewis B. Puller, Jr.
The general embarked for Korea in April 1951, commanding the 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, until his return to the United States in December 1951. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his service with that regiment. General Brown's Ribbons & Awards: In addition to the Silver Star, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Navy and Marine Corps and Purple Heart Medals, the general's medals and decorations include the Presidental Unit Citation ribbon; the Navy Unit Citation ribbon; the Marine Corps Good Conduct medal; the World War 1 Victory Medal with two combat stars; the Nicaraguan Campaign Medal; the China Service Medal; the American Area Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with one bronze star; the War 11 Victory Medal; the Navy Occupation Service Medal; the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit; the Order of the Cloud and Banner (China); the Korean Service Medal; the United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Below: This is the 2nd Battalion - 1st Regiments logo now. We didn't have it back in the 40's and 50's but we proudly claim it now.
10, 1951) was a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps who served with Company E, 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, during the Korean War. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions and sacrifice of life on June 10, 1951 near Hangnyong, Korea while advancing his platoon against enemy fire. He hurled himself into an enemy bunker with a live grenade, killing the enemy gun crew and himself in the explosion.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an Ammunition Bearer in Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 14 September 1951. Boldly advancing with his squad in support of a group of riflemen assaulting a series of strongly fortified and bitterly defended hostile positions on Hill 749, Private First Class Gomez consistently exposed himself to the withering barrage to keep his machine gun supplied with ammunition during the drive forward to seize the objective. As his squad deployed to meet an imminent counterattack, he voluntarily moved down an abandoned trench to search for a new location for the gun and, when a hostile grenade landed between himself and his weapon, shouted a warning to those around him as he grasped the activated charge in his hand. Determined to save his comrades, he unhesitatingly chose to sacrifice himself and, diving into the ditch with the deadly missile, absorbed the shattering violence of the explosion in his own body. By his stouthearted courage, incomparable valor and decisive spirit of self-sacrifice, Private First Class Gomez inspired the others to heroic efforts in subsequently repelling the outnumbering foe, and his valiant conduct throughout sustained and enhanced the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Oceanside, California-Marine advanced combat training.
Pictured below: Camp Pendleton. December, 1950. 1st Weapons Co. 1st Inf. Tr Bn. Tent Camp #1. Jerry and I in front of our hut. Just before leaving for Korea.
Picture Below: "Ole" Jim. Map of Treasure Island at bottom of page.- Treasure Island, San Francisco, CA.
Pictured below: Aiken Victory T-AP-188. After getting advanced combat training and winter manuvers at Camp Idlewild (San Jancento mountains) Camp Pendleton , our unit left on this ship out of San Diego harbor in early Februrary, 1951, along with the USNS Thomas Jefferson.Got into Kobe, Japan, dropped our sea bags off and sailed for Pusan, Korea.
Pictured below: Near the Hwachon Reservior (Early April-1951.) My brother Jerry and myself. We were very lucky in that we got to stay together in China and later on in Korea. And thats good, when you have a great brother like I have. Jerry is living now on his farm in River Falls, Alabama.
Pictured below is George J. "Doc" Douglas - H&S Co. 2nd Bn 1st Reg 1st Marine Div.George was one of our Battalion's corpsmen. Was assigned with Easy Co. He saved many Marine lives, especially on the days of June 10-14 1951, near Hangnyong, Korea, "Operation Punch Bowl." Doc lives in Auburn, Calif. One of my very good friends. We still E-mail each other.
Pictured below: Doc attending the new Korean War Memorial dedication ceremonies at Carson City, Nevada. (June-2005) He is a member of the Marine Corps League there. The walk in front of monument is paved with bricks with the names of Korean veterans in that area. Doc's name is on one of them.
Pictured below: Prot. Regimental Chaplin Henry E. "Hollering Hank Austin" and Easy Co. Corpsman George "Doc" Douglas. They worked close together during all E Co. engagements. Chaplin Austin Baptized Jerry and I before we returned home for our mothers funeral.
Below: Map of Treasure Island. This is where most Marines and Naval personnel were processed for discharge or return to Korea. 1951.
Picture below: Just east of Pusan at Chinhae K-10 air base, Korea. Jerry. Unit waiting to board DC-3 transport planes enroute to joining 1st Marine Reg. on central Korean front.
Pictured below: Corpsman Merlin Schueller. Merlin was one of our corpsmen with Easy Co, 2nd Bn. 1st Marines. Was wounded June 10, 1951 (wounds in leg) at Hangnyong, Korea (Punchbowl). Bottom Picture, Merlin being presented the Silver Star after he returned home from Korea.
Merlin is living in Waterloo, Iowa. A good friend. We correspond regularly.
USMC MCB Camp Lejeune, N.C.