When we talk about inspirational Americans we've got to include quite possibly the greatest Marine to ever live, Lewis B. Puller, known as "Chesty". Afterall he was number one on our list. Chesty was not a fan of not fighting bad guys. In fact, he liked fighting so much that he made it a world tour kind of event. Our very first story of Chesty takes place in Nicaragua.Around the ripe age of thirty-two, Chesty was commanding a patrol with the Nicaraguan National Guard. There were tons of bandits that roamed the country and Chesty as always was not having any of that shit. So his patrol attacked the bandit forces several times, despite being vastly outnumbered, he stomped a major mudhole in their ass. The bandits quickly learned that Chesty Puller and the United States Marine Corps were not to be trifled with. Apparently, they hadn't gotten the message beforehand.Also, in case anyone was wondering, jungle warfare isn't the most enjoyable type of warfare either. With all sorts of diseases and animals that want to kill you in addition to the hostile enemy forces, it can be a pain in the ass. Chesty just kept chugging along pushing his men to attack with superior tactics and ferocity.

Leading from the front is what is expected of Marine officers, Chesty was an example of how that shit got done. Risking his own life, he embodied the ideals that are set forth by Marines and their leadership today. He's not the only one who went on a rampage of smoking bad guys, as the Marine Corps is full of great leaders, but Chesty made it his personal mission to close with and destroy the enemy by superior fire and maneuver.This is just the first of many inspiring stories about the man, the myth, the legend, The Marine, Lewis B. Puller, Lieutenant General, United States Marine Corps...from 7th Marines...

Read more stories of American Grit here:

LUKE HOLLER: A SMILE THAT REFUSED TO END

D.W. RUTLEDGE: BUILDING A DYNASTY OF CHARACTER

GEORGE S. PATTON: OLYMPIAN