06/01/2026
“Retreat? Hell, We Just Got Here!”
Today, we remember the legacy of Marines who fought at the Battle of Belleau Wood during World War I, helping to cement the Corps' reputation as the world's premier fighting force.
During the intense battle, the 4th Marine Brigade, comprised of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments, and the 6th Machine Gun Battalion, fought aggressively through the wheat fields and woodlands in France, helping to stop a major German advance toward Paris in 1918. The Battle of Belleau Wood became a major turning point for the Corps, providing Marines with experience in large scale operations.
Legend has it that Marines were later called Teufel Hunden ("Devil Dogs" in German) due to the relentless tenacity while taking enemy positions during the battle. Because of the Marines’ unwavering commitment, the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments were awarded the French Croix de Guerre, an award presented to individuals or units for acts of valor and bravery on the battlefield.
Semper Fidelis.
✍️ (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)
📷 (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Garrett Gillespie)
