Posted on May 19, 2015
Who was the toughest of all Marines throughout U.S. history? Why??
19.1K
158
68
12
12
0
Simple. Who was the toughest Marine in U.S. history, in your opinion? Support your argument....
Posted in these groups: 
Marines
Marines
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 34
13
13
0
13
13
0
Chesty Puller with out a doubt. For a Marine to have been awarded 5 Navy Crosses in my book makes him a bad ass! Not to mention Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit (2), Combat "V", Bronze Star Medal, Combat "V", and a Purple Heart Medal
(13)
(0)
LCpl (Join to see)
Gotta go with Senior Chief, Chesty was a Marine's Marine. He also clawed his way up from enlisted man to a three star general, which is insanely bad ass.
(3)
(0)
Sgt Doug Smith
You know what....Most Marines would fall on a Grenade to save his fellow Marines...my opinion.To say that one is the toughest...well, there are those that are tougher than others but we all went through THE training in becoming Marines.You would have to put a Marine in the position of being what you call a 'bad azz'. I was in for 6 years and served with India 3/6 when we went into the Dominican Republic to put down the Revolution in early 1965. I served in Vietnam 1965-66. I've seen tough Marines with every duty station. So...my assessment is...'The Few The Proud The Marines' make each other ' the toughest'. God bless the Marine Corps!
(3)
(0)
SPC Nancy Greene
Definitely Agree with You Sgt Doug Smith! When You entered & served in the USMC, You were a Highly-Trained ‘Killing Machine’! I am referring to today’s Boot Camp Graduates.
BTW Sgt Doug Smith:
WELCOME HOME!
Sgt Doug Smith
BTW Sgt Doug Smith:
WELCOME HOME!
Sgt Doug Smith
(0)
(0)
12
12
0
There are too many Marines from history that have left their mark. They all earned their titles, they all served, and they all deserve to carry the title the toughest. I have seen some pretty tough SOB's in my time with the Corps. It's not the amount of medals or ribbons that get put on your chest that makes you tough. Its the getting the crap kicked out of you day to day and still lacing up the boots in the morning and marching on. Its picking up your brother so he can have a chance to march on another day and being able to face back down range. Each of my brothers that I served with, and all of my brothers still serving deserve the title. Granted Chesty, Daly, Basilone and all of the icons of history are tough, but there are so many unsung hero's out there lacing up and marching on, whether it be in the service still or making a life for themselves outside the military.
(12)
(0)
(1)
(0)
SPC Nancy Greene
Definitely Agree Cpl Kristoffer Mischel, there are many, many ‘unsung hero’s’; however, ALL MARINES know or Should know their USMC. I was Army, and I know of Chesty!
Do You Know of the Marine Corps Museum at Camp LeJeune and it’s founder?
Do You Know of the Marine Corps Museum at Camp LeJeune and it’s founder?
(0)
(0)
9
9
0
Not to take anything away from any other nominees, but SgtMaj Kasal comes to mind.
(9)
(0)
Cpl Kristoffer Mischel
Finger straight and off the trigger until he's ready to fire. I used a picture just like this when I was training my Marines about weapons safety as a weapons instructor. The SgtMaj is as BA.
(3)
(0)
Suspended Profile
“Toughest” could have serval meanings….i’m going to go with “Not easily broken.” Using that definition I would have to say Marine SSgt Albert Luke Ireland is the toughest Marine. I support this with one fact…he was awarded 9 Purple Heart Medals during his service in WWI and Korea (5 and 4 respectively.) the most ever awarded to a single individual of the United States Armed Forces.
(7)
(0)
SMSgt Roger Horton
That is the fighting hole I want to be in.. In Vietnam I spent more than one night in fighting hole with some that just didn't have it.
(2)
(0)
SPC Nancy Greene
You won Your argument MSgt Ronald Stacey!
Do You know of
Sergeant Major (Retired) Joe Houle?
Do You know of
Sergeant Major (Retired) Joe Houle?
(0)
(0)
7
7
0
I know this might sound lame coming from a ret ARMY NCO, but I think during a time of war all soldiers who fought honorably in every branch have been, are and always will be some of the greatest heroes I have ever had the pleasure of serving with and learning from. I can only hope as a mother that all my children share in the same patriotic love and respect for our country, it's Flag and all of those who proudly protect it. Thank you everyone for your service and selfless sacrifice.
(7)
(0)
7
7
0
Sgt Mjr Dan Daly, GySgt John Basilone, Col John Glenn, Lt Gen Chesty Puller, Mjr Gen Smedley Butler
There is no ranking they are all equally bad ass
There is no ranking they are all equally bad ass
(7)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Cpl Ivan Hicks, COL Mitch Paige, CMH from Guadalcanal was omitted from your list. COL Paige's wife, Marilyn Paige has unsuccessfully argued that he, not John Basilone should have been the first CMH on Guadalcanal due to the utmost confusion at the time.
(0)
(0)
CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Cpl Ivan Hicks, When I met COL Paige in church in 1993, he was wearing a Marine tie tack. I said, "Are you a Marine?" COL Paige snarled back, "Yes I am, aren't you?"
(0)
(0)
(0)
(0)
4
4
0
2 of my older brothers both Marines in Vietnam one was wounded twice once by grenade (Still has the shrapnel in his back) at Saigon and shot on patrol before rotating home. The other had 2 trucks blown out from under him (had shrapnel in his back also till the day he died 30 years later from skin cancer Agent orange)
(4)
(0)
SPC Nancy Greene
SPC Jeffrey Reese, please tell your older brothers this SOC Nancy Greene says: WELCOME HOME
(0)
(0)
MG Smedley Butler, MAJ Louis Cukela, SGM Daniel Daly, SGM Ernest Janson, PVT John Kelly, SGT Matej kocak, CPL John Pruitt.........All 2 time MOH recipients
(4)
(0)
3
3
0
Hmmm... Don't know his rank but one name comes to mind. "White feather" as the North vietnamese named him.... Carlos Hathcock. Marine sniper. 93 confirmed kills during the vietnam war. And his story with the enemy sniper named "cobra" makes him more of a badass than anyone
(3)
(0)
Capt Jeff S.
Good choice. He definitely deserves mention. Met Carlos Hathcock Jr. at the Eastern Division matches in 1998, where I was pulling duty as a Line Official. He was pretty down to earth and personable. At the time, his father, Carlos Sr. was still alive, but he said his father wasn't doing too well, due to complications from MS.
Here is Carlos Hathcock Sr's story:
Here is Carlos Hathcock Sr's story:
Carlos Norman “Gunny” Hathcock II (1942–1999) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Norman Hathcock II is believed to have attained the highest number of recorded kills in the history of the United States Marine Corps (USMC). Known to his fellow soldiers as “Gunny,” Hathcock had ninety-three confirmed kills as a sniper during the Vietnam War. Others have had more confirmed kills, but his actual total is estimated to be more than 300. He was also instrumental in establishing the Marine Corps...
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google