In September and October 1944, Puller led the 1st Marine Regiment into the protracted battle on Peleliu, one of the bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history, and received his first of two Legion of Merit awards.
I september og oktober 1944 ledede Fuller 1. marineregiment i det langstrakte slag på Peleliu, et af de blodigste slag i marinekorpsets historie, og modtog den første af to Legion of Merit udmærkelser.