PFC Isabelle Scores No. 1 Recruit

PFC D.M. Isabelle center, is the recipient of the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award and is pictured with Col Daniel J. Haas, Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Regiment, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.
(Photo by Cpl Rodion Zabolotniy.)

"Chesty" Puller's legacy of leadership continues to inspire today's generations of new Marine recruits.

The Marine Corps Association & Foundation provides the "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award for each graduating company at the Parris Island and San Diego Recruit Depots. PFC D.M. Isabelle was recognized with the award at the July 19, 2013, Bravo Company, graduation for 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award is presented to the Marine of each graduating company who demonstrated the highest potential for future leadership and responsibility in the Marine Corps. Approximately 90 recruit training companies graduate each year and one recruit honor graduate is selected from each company.

LtGen Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was a highly regarded and inspirational leader, and one of the most decorated U.S. Marines in history. He is the only Marine to be awarded five Navy Crosses and received the nation's second highest military decoration a total of six times. In addition to the five Navy Crosses, he was also awarded the United States Army Distinguished Service Cross.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award, other honor graduate awards and awards for all the Marine Corps' formal schools are presented through the MCA&F Marine Excellence Awards Program. Each year MCA&F gives awards to recognize nearly 9,000 deserving Marines and provides about 97 percent of all awards distributed in the Corps outside the USMC awards system.

The "Chesty" Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award.
(Photo by Ron Lunn.)