Puller thought about this for a few moments. “My paternal grandfather was a West

Point grad too. He was in World War II.” “And what was the highest rank he

achieved?” asked Rooney. “Captain.” “And the reason for that?” “He died on D-Day

on the beaches at Normandy leading his platoon against the German

fortifications. He was highly decorated and would have moved up in rank except

for his death. He was considered for the Medal of Honor but didn’t get it.

Paperwork got lost, so I heard.” “And your father was how old when his father

died?” Puller quickly did the math in his head. “Eight.” Knox said, “So are you

saying Puller Sr. felt abandoned by his dad and worked his whole life to achieve

more than his father had?” “No,” said Rooney.

 

After a few moments of silence Puller said, “You think he was achieving all of

it for his father? Because he never got the chance to do it himself?” Rooney

pointed at him. “That’s what I believe.” “And did my mother think this too?” “I

can tell you that she had given it a lot of thought and more or less came to the

same conclusion.” “I found a letter from my mother to my father. She wrote it

shortly before she disappeared. She said she wanted to make things work out.

Mostly for the sake of my brother and me. But that she wanted to take me and my

brother away from him for a bit so my father could better understand his

priorities. Meaning his family over the Army, I guess.” Rooney nodded. “That

sounds like a decision Jackie would come to. She adored both you and your

brother. And she loved your father.

 

I’m breaking no vow to tell you that. But I could understand why she would want

matters to come to a head. Taking his sons away from their father was a way for