This nickname for the
United States Marine Corps originated during
World War I. In
1918, the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines were sent to reinforce the
French in the
Belleau Wood. Soon after they arrived, the commander of the
French forces advised then
Colonel Wendell C. Neville to
retreat.
Neville replied, "Retreat? Hell, we just got here!" Though outnumbered, the Marines proceeded to drive the Germans from Belleau Wood, and for the ferocity of their fighting and disturbing marksmanship earned the nickname "Teufelhunden," or "Devil Dogs."