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I've moved this from the article, as it doesn't connect properly as written:
Tyrenius 05:01, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
History is dis-served by overlooking the membership of Lew Puller Jr. on the Presidential Clemency Board of Gerald Ford - for which Wikipedia presently has no page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.188.29.213 ( talk) 20:59, 6 May 2008 (UTC)
I saw an interview with Puller Jr. shortly before his death in which he displayed despondency and lack of self-esteem based on his contention that in the incident in which he was wounded, his first in combat, he "ran" shortly after deplaning from his chopper when his unit immediately came under unexpected fire. First of all, this is an entirely unremarkeable thing to happen to green troops which does not reflect cowardice or desertion under fire. Moreover, there is such a thing as tactical retreat that is sometimes necessary in dealing with unexpected fire and other tough situations. Had Puller emerged from this incident unharmed ready to fight another day, it would have been merely a learning experience that would have faded into his memory. Unfortunately, as someone who had lost multiple limbs that was not possible. It is tragic that Puller, influenced by the giant legacy of his father, had to disrespect himself so unfairly. For example, if one is in the woods, even if armed, and is suddenly charged by a grizzly, one may be justified in retreating to a better position as both a survival and hunting strategy, this being consistent with Marine Corp doctrine that in the defensive mode the mission of the rifle squad is to evade and repulse the enemy's attack by "fire and manuever". Tom Cod ( talk) 20:58, 7 July 2008 (UTC)