Who was the toughest of all Marines throughout U.S. history? Why??

The toughest marine can easily be someone we don’t know of.

I think the question itself is rather vague, and far too open to different interpretations...

Define "Toughest", and if possible, distinguish it from "Most decorated".

Define "Most decorated". I mean Chesty Puller may have 5 Navy Crosses, but not a single MoH. Does "most decorated" have to include a MoH? Why or why not?

Is it possible to establish an actual standard of measure about "During which conflict or scenario" such that the very timing of certain awards issued would mean some hold more "weight" than others?

Duding which Administration were the awards issued? This should be a valid question because some are more stingy in the interest of preserving their value, whiles hand them out like candy in the interest to show more appreciation (or at least appear as such publicly).

I might consider limitting the question a bit.

IIRC 2nd BN 5th MarDiv is the most decorated unit. I am not sure if it means the most decorated individual has to have been in that unit or not.

My pointbis that if the question implies an answer to be measurable (MOST) then the answers must also actually be measurable.

Back in my day it was Chesty Puller I’m sure his name is still revered But all combat Soldiers are hero’s

Chesty Puller, no further explanation required.

If I had to choose only one, it would be Chesty Puller. However, I have to give some respect to my fellow Marine Cpl Carpenter. So Cpl Carpent, HOO RAH!! and as for Chesty Puller, goodnight where ever you are. SEMPER FI!!

Chesty Puller

Chesty Puller and Colonel "Bull" Fisher, I meet Colonel Fisher years ago before retiring off the Police Department.

Fortunately, just about all of them

I don't think you can answer this question fairly. On first impression I figured Kyle Carpenter took the call because jumping on a hand grenade, surviving and then fighting back to health rated it. But he's only the current tough guy. When you go back in Marine history, there are so many heroic Marines who proved themselves over and over again that you'll never make a choice which doesn't exclude a bunch of guys who also deserve the title.

There has been some good responses and each one that responded had their reasons for their choice but to pick one would be the toughest task. I think back to my tour in Vietnam of the tunnel rats who crawled into tunnels with a 45 and a flash light, to the chopper pilots and crews that flew in for the wounded, the COs that wrote letters to a loved one of their loss, and the Docs that took care of the wounded under fire. The toughest as as group I would have to say Mothers ans wives of those shipped off to war.