75 Years in the Making: The Devil Dogs Of Marines’ Memorial

An item from a fellow veterans organization in the Bay Area.

In the previous editions of Marines’ Memorial: 75 Years in the Making, we’ve focused on the people, the building, and the city. While we think all of these are quite photogenic, this month we’d like to focus on arguably our most photographed feature of the Club… the Bulldogs!

The Devil Dogs of Marines’ Memorial

It was after the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918 that the Marines assumed the moniker “Teufelshunden” or “Devil Dogs,” purportedly from the battered Germans who dubbed their salty, indefatigable conquerors.

Soon afterward, U.S. Marine Corps recruiting posters depicted an English bulldog wearing a Marine Corps helmet. The image helped unofficially establish the English bulldog as their mascot.

USMC Recruiting Poster

SgtMaj Jiggs

From the very first canine recruit, SgtMaj Jiggs, to the long line of “Chestys” that began in 1957 honoring LtGen Chesty Puller, the most decorated and venerated Marine in the history of the Corps, the bulldog has been the revered mascot of the United States Marine Corps. Marines’ Memorial has honored that tradition for the last 20+ years right here at the Front Desk of the Club.

Newest Chesty's First Day

The Marines’ Memorial bulldog family started with Bubba in 1998 who was followed by Bailey, Beau, Bubba Jr., Beulah and our two newest recruits who joined us last summer, Ms. Betty White and Brutus.

Take a look at our “B”eloved Marines’ Memorial Mascots throughout the years and let us know how you honor the Devil Dog mascot! Whether you have a picture or memory at Marines’ Memorial or you have your own bulldog at home, share it with us and it might show up in a future edition of the Crossroads of the Corps and Marines’ Memorial social media!

Bubba

Bubba