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Devil Dog is a
Devil Dog is a nickname
A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...
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 combi ...
coined during World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
.
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 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 "theTeutons
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 th ...
have handed the sea soldiers nickname... They call the American scrappers 'teufel hunden,' which in English means 'devil dogs'." Journalist H. L. Mencken 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 , as well as the mascot of the Quantico Marines football team.
See also
*Chesty XV
Chesty XV is the mascot of the United States Marine Corps. A male English Bulldog, he is named after Chesty Puller.
Chesty XV was acquired by the Marine Corps in March 2018 and trained with his predecessor Chesty XIV until August 31, 2018, when h ...
* Dogface Dogface may refer to:
*Dogface (TV series), ''Dogface'' (TV series), UK sketch show
*Dogface (military), US military term
*Dogface (album), ''Dogface'' (album), by Leash Law
*DogFace (book), ''DogFace'' (book), by Barbara O'Brien
Dogface may also ...
* Jarhead
* Leatherneck
Leatherneck is a military slang term in the USA for a member of the United States Marine Corps. It is generally believed to originate in the wearing of a "leather stock" that went around the neck. Its original purpose was to protect the neck fro ...
Explanatory notes
References
{{US Marine Corps navbox United States Marine Corps lore and symbols