Which nickname derives from the Marines' historic leather collar?

• A. Leatherneck
• B. Devil Dogs
• C. Jarhead
• D. Leatherback

Answer: (A)

The nickname comes from a specific item in the Marines’ uniform history: a stiff leather collar worn around the neck. This leather neck piece, designed to protect the throat and keep the tunic from riding up in close combat, gave Marines a distinctive appearance on the battlefield. Because of that visible feature, the Marines were called “leathernecks,” a label that stuck and became a lasting nickname for the corps. The other terms reference different origins—Devil Dogs comes from German soldiers’ praise of Marines at Belleau Wood, Jarhead points to later era stories about haircuts or helmet appearance, and Leatherback isn’t the established nickname tied to the collar.