Recruit Honor Grad Awarded
“Chesty” Puller’s legacy of leadership continues to inspire today’s generations of new Marine recruits.
The Marine Corps Association & Foundation awards the “Chesty” Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award to each graduating company at the Parris Island and San Diego Recruit Depots.
Pfc Sergio De La Cruz of Norwalk, Calif. was recognized with the award at the Nov. 2, 2012 for Company G graduation for 2d Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego.
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 the most decorated U.S. Marine in history, and is the only Marine to be awarded five Navy Crosses. He received the nation’s second highest military decoration a total of six times, and 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 11,000 deserving Marines and provides about 97 percent of all awards distributed in the Corps outside the USMC awards system.
From left stand Sgt Christopher A. Sanchez,Senior Drill Instructor; Major General Thomas M. Murray, Commanding General, Marine Corps Training and Education Command, Quantico, Va.; Pfc Sergio De La Cruz, Pfc De La Cruz's recruiter, Staff Sergeant Edgar Estrada; and Brigadier General Daniel D. Yoo, Commanding General, MCRD San Diego/Western Recruiting Region.
Photo credit by Lance Cpl Justin A. Fisher
The “Chesty” Puller Recruit Company Honor Graduate Award.
Photo credit by Ron Lunn.
Member Oorahs!
Louise,
I just wanted to say thanks so much for making sure the uniform got back
to me in time for my commissioning class's photo. It fits me well and I am so excited for commissioning which takes
place in 17 hours! Thank you again!
Very Respectfully,
Ma’am,
Just wanted to let you know that I got the sword yesterday with time to spare. It showed up unscathed due to the excellent packing job despite the rough postal process. And most importantly it looks great and the Bahraini’s couldn’t be happier! Thanks again for all of your assistance.
R/S
Major Wayne Phelps
3d LAAD Bn XO
Security Force, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan
I received my blouse last Friday and want to thank you for your efforts
in getting things done. Also, please thank the tailors involved in
making everything right and please give my sincere thanks to those who
made the decision to make the necessary corrections at no charge to me.
That in itself says a lot about your organization. The blouse fits
like a glove and actually looks and feels like new.
Thank you and all the staff who had a hand in correcting a problem and making an old man happy. Semper Fi
Sincerely,
Jessica,
Thank you so much for taking the extra time and making the extra effort
to ship another hat to me for my husband last week. The second hat
arrived last Thursday... and he was tickled with it. Although it may be
"only a hat" it is a very special hat in many ways. He will always be a
proud Marine dad, and your kindness is very much appreciated.
Thanks for the email; I purchased the two Marine Corps. Cups for my brother who served with the First Marine Div. in Vietnam . He was very pleased with the cups and I was very impressed with the purchase. The online catalog did not do the product the justice it deserved. Thanks again and I am sure you will hear from me in the future.
Member saying thanks to our Customer Service Representative, Skylar Hand.
Thank you so much for your help!!! I think you should be commended for your excellent customer service! You were extremely helpful and I was about to get upset about my order but you handled it before I could say anything. You are the best. Thanks again!!!
I received my Dress Blues I ordered from The Marine
Shop in the mail today. And I just wanted to write and tell everyone there
that you all did a great job! Everyone from the tailors, to the customer
service reps. I am highly impressed with the quality and tailoring of your
uniforms. I will definitely keep coming back to The Marine Shop in the
future for uniforms!
I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone at the association for sponsoring the Ground Awards Dinner on 3 June at the Crystal City Marriott. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were tremendously pleased with the hospitality shown to us and the great accommodations. As well, I wanted to thank the association for the DVD of the event that was mailed to me. It is something that I will keep and treasure for the rest of my days. Again, thanks for everything.
Semper Fidelis!
You have been the easiest person I have ever dealt with since I have started MWR out here. You were very quick to respond to my every question and very knowledgeable about your work for an order over a phone that was my greatest experience. If you were in the Marine Corps Skylar I would write you up for a meritorious promotion. I will surely write it in my books to pass the word to the next MWR rep to continue the membership with you guys.
Sgt Richard Colmenarez
Ms. Pappas,
Congratulations. You are more responsive and informative than any other website contact I can recall. I appreciate that very much. It’s really nice to have someone like you at the MCA “front door.”
Sincerely, Alfred
Related Content
- Chesty Puller Awardees (Page)
- Marine Corps Association & Foundation: Advancing Leadership and Recognizing Excellence (Article)
- A Legend Come to Life (Page)
- Marine Corps Quotes (Magazine Page)
- Chesty Puller Statue Dedication Ceremony (Event)

