Which World War I battle earned Marines the nickname 'Devil Dogs'?

• A. The Battle of Midway
• B. The Battle of Somme
• C. The Battle of Guadalcanal
• D. The Battle of Belleau Wood

Answer: (D)

The question tests knowledge of Marine Corps lore and the origin of the nickname Devil Dogs. In World War I, American Marines fought stubbornly at Belleau Wood in France, near Château-Thierry, during the June 1918 actions that halted German advances and helped turn the tide on the Aisne-Marne front. German troops reportedly exclaimed Teufelshunde, or “Devil Dogs,” in awe of the Marines’ ferocity and tenacity as they fought to hold and then push through the woods. The nickname stuck and became a lasting symbol of Marine grit and willingness to close with the enemy, especially in that battle. The other battles listed occurred in different contexts or times (for example, one in the Pacific Theater during World War II), so they aren’t the source of this nickname.