The life of Lewis Burwell Puller Jr, is one that had begun with admiration and honor but ended for a war Hero that was both physically and emotionally broken . Lewis Burwell Puller Jr. had been born at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on August 18, 1945 to Lewis and Virginia Puller. In fact, Puller's father was one of the most decorated and honored soldiers in the Marines. Having grown up in the military life with all its influences it brought, it was no surprise that Puller longed to follow in his father's footsteps.
Puller's Military Career
Upon his graduating William and Mary's College in 1967, Puller eagerly joined the United States Marines. By July 1968 Puller had become a Second Lieutenant, and in the following month, he and Linda Ford Todd married. Later on that very month, Puller was sent to the war in Vietnam. Puller had been dispatched as a Platoon Commander in the Second Battalion of the First Marine Regiment of the First Marine Division. During his deployment, Puller had led his men through the thick jungles of Vietnam, and also had been active in hand-to-hand combat with the Northern Vietnamese forces. It wasn't until October 11, 1968, that Puller's life would be drastically changed though. That very day, Puller stepped on a booby trap that consisted of a 105mm Howitzer round that nearly cost Puller his life. …show more content…
In his story Fortunate Son: The Autobiography of Lewis B Puller, Jr., Puller describes the hardships that were present in the Vietnam War, and the struggles that the American soldiers had to face upon their returning home to those who cared little to nothing about their many sacrifices for freedom. Puller then dedicated his life story to his Country and family. After much labor, Puller's hard work paid off and he was able to achieve the Pulitzer Prize for his book