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Devil Dog is a nickname for a
United States Marine The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through com ...
coined during World War I.


History

Multiple publications of the United States Marine Corps claim that the nickname "Teufel Hunden"—"Devil Dogs" in English—was bestowed upon the Marines by German soldiers at the
Battle of Belleau Wood The Battle of Belleau Wood (1–26 June 1918) occurred during the German spring offensive in World War I, near the Marne River in France. The battle was fought between the U.S. 2nd (under the command of Major General Omar Bundy) and 3rd Divi ...
in June 1918. However, on April 14, 1918, six weeks before the battle began, hundreds of U.S. newspapers ran a fanciful wire service report that stated "the
Teutons The Teutons ( la, Teutones, , grc, Τεύτονες) were an ancient northern European tribe mentioned by Roman authors. The Teutons are best known for their participation, together with the Cimbri and other groups, in the Cimbrian War with t ...
have handed the sea soldiers nickname... They call the American scrappers 'teufel hunden,' which in English means 'devil dogs'." Journalist
H. L. Mencken Henry Louis Mencken (September 12, 1880 – January 29, 1956) was an American journalist, essayist, satirist, cultural critic, and scholar of American English. He commented widely on the social scene, literature, music, prominent politicians, ...
wrote in 1921 that the term was the invention of an American war correspondent. Robert V. Aquilina of the
United States Marine Corps History Division The United States Marine Corps History Division is a branch of Headquarters Marine Corps tasked with researching, writing, and maintaining the History of the United States Marine Corps. It also provides reference and research assistance; preserves ...
has stated that while there is no evidence of German use of the term, it has nevertheless become entrenched in Marine Corps lore. "Devil Dog" was also the nickname of the
amphibious assault ship An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault. The design evolved from aircraft carriers converted for use as helicopter carriers (and, as ...
, as well as the mascot of the Quantico Marines football team.


See also

* Chesty XV * Dogface * Jarhead * Leatherneck


Explanatory notes


References

{{US Marine Corps navbox United States Marine Corps lore and symbols