Marines Known as Devil Dogs

The nickname for the greatest fighting force on earth is as old as the Great War. "Devil Dog" became synonymous with the US Marine Corps after a deciding battle in France earned them a reputation.During World War One, the first large-scale battle fought by American forces ultimately stopped the German advance toward Paris. On June 6th, 1918 a counteroffensive was initiated to drive German forces out of the woods of Belleau, a small town just 45 miles from French capitol. The US Marines were in for a long haul.By the end of the first day of battle, over 1,000 American lives were lost. The Germans attacked with everything they had; gas, shells, machine guns. Three weeks of brutal fighting later, even with assistance from Army artillery and French soldiers, 10,000 American men were killed, wounded, or MIA.Bellau Wood is home to a particular fountain, featuring the head of a bull mastiff. The water from its mouth was the belle eau that the town had been named for. Since their enemies had already nicknamed them Teufelhunden, "Devil Dogs," the symbol stuck, and images of helmeted dogs began popping up in recruiting posters and in the letters Marines wrote.To this day, Marines travel to this small town to drink the water from the "Devil Dog" fountain, and honor those that lost their lives.

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