Throughout history there have been countless examples of leader’s effective implementation of the mission command principles. Colonel Puller, an example of one such leader, was the Commander for the 1st Marine Regiment during the invasion and battle of Peleliu. Throughout the 7 days of fighting, he successfully demonstrated the principles of mission command through his use of: building cohesive teams through mutual trust, providing a clear commander’s intent, exercising disciplined initiative, and accepting prudent risk. Even though sustaining over 50 percent casualties in his regiment and having to withdraw from Peleliu he was successful in implementing the principles of mission command.
The invasion of Peleliu was determined to be of strategic …show more content…
COL Puller was, as Camp states in Last Man Standing, “an aggressive and utterly fearless fighter”¹⁶ COL Puller shared the point of view of other successful Commanders specifically Edson, a Commander on Guadalcanal, who stated “you’ve got to take a chance on getting hurt. Somebody has to get hurt in these things.”¹⁷ COL Puller understood that success in combat was attained through aggressive actions that put his Marines in harm’s way. Though he took no joy in casualties he accepted the prudent risk that in order to achieve the overall objective of the Peleliu campaign, he needed to risk the lives of his Marines. Another example of COL Puller accepting prudent risk, was where he set his command post. General Smith, who was the Assistant Division Commander for the 1st Marine Division, stated “Lewie’s [COL Puller] command post was located in advance of his battalion commanders.”¹⁸ His position on the battlefield demonstrates his willingness to accept prudent risk when the stakes are high. Another example was when he gave CPT Hunt the mission to take “The Point” which was an important strategic stronghold. COL Puller knew that “The Point” needed to be taken in order to protect the divisions left flank from a Japanese attack. He also knew that based of the intense fire his forces were receiving during the initial landing and push inland, that this task would be difficult and would result in many dead Marines. Never the less he ordered CPT Hunt to take “The Point” and he was able to successfully secure the objective despite the devastating casualties the enemy inflicted on his company. “[Of] Hunt’s original 235 men only 78 were left at daylight.”¹⁹ COL Puller knew that the loss of life to Hunt’s company was a necessary risk in order to protect not just his regiment but the division as a whole. When examining this evidence it becomes very clear that COL
The invasion of Peleliu was determined to be of strategic …show more content…
COL Puller was, as Camp states in Last Man Standing, “an aggressive and utterly fearless fighter”¹⁶ COL Puller shared the point of view of other successful Commanders specifically Edson, a Commander on Guadalcanal, who stated “you’ve got to take a chance on getting hurt. Somebody has to get hurt in these things.”¹⁷ COL Puller understood that success in combat was attained through aggressive actions that put his Marines in harm’s way. Though he took no joy in casualties he accepted the prudent risk that in order to achieve the overall objective of the Peleliu campaign, he needed to risk the lives of his Marines. Another example of COL Puller accepting prudent risk, was where he set his command post. General Smith, who was the Assistant Division Commander for the 1st Marine Division, stated “Lewie’s [COL Puller] command post was located in advance of his battalion commanders.”¹⁸ His position on the battlefield demonstrates his willingness to accept prudent risk when the stakes are high. Another example was when he gave CPT Hunt the mission to take “The Point” which was an important strategic stronghold. COL Puller knew that “The Point” needed to be taken in order to protect the divisions left flank from a Japanese attack. He also knew that based of the intense fire his forces were receiving during the initial landing and push inland, that this task would be difficult and would result in many dead Marines. Never the less he ordered CPT Hunt to take “The Point” and he was able to successfully secure the objective despite the devastating casualties the enemy inflicted on his company. “[Of] Hunt’s original 235 men only 78 were left at daylight.”¹⁹ COL Puller knew that the loss of life to Hunt’s company was a necessary risk in order to protect not just his regiment but the division as a whole. When examining this evidence it becomes very clear that COL