Remembering Belleau Wood

Posted By Blackfive

"Retreat, Hell! We just got here!" - Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, June 1918, in response to the French  forces request to retreat.

Sergeants Clint Owens and Michael Ervin represent U.S. Marine buglers past and present, as they pay respect to the 2,289 U.S. service members laid to rest at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery, in Belleau, France. Earlier in the day both Owens and Ervin performed with 'The Commandant's Own' United States Drum & Bugle Corps at a memorial service commemorating the 88th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, May 28. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Will Price

---

One can argue that there are more than a few pivotal moments for the Marine Corps.  President Harry Truman was going to disband them, then the Korean War happened and the Marines and a Marine among Marines by the name of Chesty Puller changed his opinion.

And, of course, there is the Battle of Belleau Wood.

Staff Sergeant Will Price recounts the battle and writes of the 88th anniversary:

Remembering the Battle of Belleau Wood
...With little to no cover, Marines maneuvered through an 800-yard wide-open wheat field, trying to reach the heavily entrenched German soldiers. The Marines began their advance with unwavering courage and the use of precision long-distance marksmanship. According to Gilles Lagin, a Belleau Wood historian, the Germans were familiar with British snipers, but the Marines’ ability to hit a target from more than 500 yards away stunned them so badly they believed there was an entire regiment of Marine snipers attacking...

---

Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
Join us!

Comments

Remembering Belleau Wood

"Retreat, Hell! We just got here!" - Captain Lloyd Williams, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, June 1918, in response to the French  forces request to retreat.

Sergeants Clint Owens and Michael Ervin represent U.S. Marine buglers past and present, as they pay respect to the 2,289 U.S. service members laid to rest at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery, in Belleau, France. Earlier in the day both Owens and Ervin performed with 'The Commandant's Own' United States Drum & Bugle Corps at a memorial service commemorating the 88th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, May 28. Photo by: Staff Sgt. Will Price

---

One can argue that there are more than a few pivotal moments for the Marine Corps.  President Harry Truman was going to disband them, then the Korean War happened and the Marines and a Marine among Marines by the name of Chesty Puller changed his opinion.

And, of course, there is the Battle of Belleau Wood.

Staff Sergeant Will Price recounts the battle and writes of the 88th anniversary:

Remembering the Battle of Belleau Wood
...With little to no cover, Marines maneuvered through an 800-yard wide-open wheat field, trying to reach the heavily entrenched German soldiers. The Marines began their advance with unwavering courage and the use of precision long-distance marksmanship. According to Gilles Lagin, a Belleau Wood historian, the Germans were familiar with British snipers, but the Marines’ ability to hit a target from more than 500 yards away stunned them so badly they believed there was an entire regiment of Marine snipers attacking...

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341bfadb53ef00d8342bceb053ef

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Remembering Belleau Wood:

» Belleau Wood, June 1918 from Op For
Matt and the crew at Blackfive beat me to a Belleau Wood post, which I commend to your attention. That month-long battle was fought by 4th Marine Brigade, which was part of the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division. (The division's... [Read More]