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icon MCG Battle History: World War I – 1914-1918

Articles about Marines during World War I, including about: the Battle of Belleau Wood, the Battle of Château-Thierry, and the Meuse–Argonne offensive.

1918 – Belleau Wood

TitleAuthorEditionSummary
Professional NotesCopyright, 1918, The New York TimesMCG September 1918“2D DIVISION HAS WON A RECORD FOR VALOR”
CAPTURE OF HILL 142, BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOOD, AND CAPTURE OF BOURESCHESMaj Edwin N. McClellanMCG September 1920“While fighting was continuous, and attacks and counter-attacks were numerous, during the period June 6-26, 1918, inclusive, and all battalions served on the actual front, the Marines made seven main attacks…”
THE BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOODMaj Edwin N. McClellanMCG December 1920“The description of the operations of the Fourth Brigade of Marines in the Chateau-Thierry sector of the Marne salient up to June 14, 1918, inclusive, is contained in previous numbers of the MARINE CORPS GAZETTE, and this article describes the remainder of these operations.”
Bois de la Brigade de MarineAdaptation by J. D. Wilmeth, 1stLt Inf., USAMCG March 1939“Based on the Personal Experience, Monographs of Major R. E. Messersmith, and Captains H. L. Larsen and R. E. Knapp, U.S.M.C., prepared at the Infantry School, Fort Benning, Ga.”
…and Belleau WoodCapt R. L. JohnsonMCG June 1955“In June 1918, the world watched a new Marine Brigade meet its test of combat”
Belleau WoodCol John W. Thomason, Jr.MCG November 1959“The story of the Marines at Belleau Wood has been told many times, especially in November when the Marine Corps Birthday and Armistice Day are remembered. Never, we think, has this story been told better than by the late Col John W. Thomason, Jr., USMC.”
Belleau WoodMajGen M. L. Krulewitch, USMCRMCG November 1971“Four Commandants served at Belleau Wood. So did Sgt Krulewitch, who gives this first-hand account of one of the Corps’ finest hours.”
A Brigade of MarinesLtGen M. H. Silverthorn, USMC (Ret)MCG November 1971“This article is my attempt to describe a time and a place when duty and patriotism reigned supreme, and when men did not hesitate to give their lives for unselfish reasons.”
Belleau Wood RevisitedCol Richard H. Esau, Jr.MCG November 1981“A visit to a historic battleground with a veteran of the action is a privilege few Marines are accorded.”
Belleau Wood RememberedEmil J. StefanacciMCG July 1983“On 30 June 1918, in admiration of the Marines’ fighting prowess, the commanding general of the French Sixth Army decreed, ‘Henceforth in all official papers, Belleau Wood shall bear the name Bois de la Brigade de Marine.'”
Belleau Wood and the MarinesAgostino von HassellMCG November 1983“It is the trees that tell the story. When the last survivor of the battle is dead, the remaining trees will still display their pathetic scars.”
Belleau Wood Seventy Years LaterAgostino von HassellMCG November 1988“The U.S. Marine Corps still carries many … scars, having made the experience of World War I a living tradition, an unforgettable lesson still applied today.”
Belleau WoodLouise ParkMCG June 1993“There are few places that mean as much to Marines as this hallowed ground in France.”
Belleau Wood: The Cates Diary1stLt Clifton B. CatesMCG June 1998The diary of 1stLt Clifton B. Cates, 96th Company, second Battalion, 6th Marines, from Belleau Wood in France 80 years ago is presented.
Visiting Belleau WoodDavid C. HomsherMCG June 1998“The right guide brought a new dimension to this historian’s battlefield tour.”
Belleau Wood PilgrimageCol Michael C. Howard, USMCRMCG June 2002“The Battle of Belleau Wood and the area itself still provide a mystical attraction.”
Belleau WoodAlexander Merrow, Capt Gregory Starace, & Agostino von HassellMCG MONTH YEAR“From the German perspective.”
The Battle of Belleau WoodSSgt Rudy R. Frame MCG November 2013“A battle analysis of U.S. Marine Corps actions and follow-on effects within the organization”
Battle of Belleau WoodSgt Nicholas JoinerMCG November 2013“The attack on Hill 142 overwhelmed the retreating French soldiers with fear, but strengthened the Marines’ will to thrust forward into a timeless victory that solidified our place among the elite fighting organizations of the world.”
Belleau Wood: A brigade’s human dynamicsMaj Ralph Stoney Bates, Sr., USMC (Ret)MCG November 2015“‘The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle.'”
Belleau WoodCapt James SkeffingtonMCG June 20182018 Marine Corps University Belleau Wood Essay Contest: Overall Winner
A Battle to RememberSSgt Matthew HannulaMCG June 20182018 Marine Corps University Belleau Wood Essay Contest: Second-Place Winner
Army Generals, Expert Riflemen, Rogue Reporters, and Devil DogsCol Maria McMillenMCG June 20182018 Marine Corps University Belleau Wood Essay Contest: Third-Place Winner
The Everlasting Impact of Belleau WoodLCpl Henry LuuMCG June 20182018 Marine Corps University Belleau Wood Essay Contest: Fourth-Place Winner
Battle of Belleau WoodLtCol Michael “Kiwi” Kelly, USMC (Ret)MCG June 2018“For any attempt to learn, the lesson needs to be placed in its true context to make the learning experience of value. The following is offered as a primer to help put Belleau Wood in its proper context.”
The Battle of Belleau WoodBradley J. MeyerMCG June 2018“Why the Marines won”
Information Warfare at the Battle of Belleau WoodCapt Scott Haviland, SSgt William Correa, Sgt Erika Poole, LCpl Joseph Garris, & LCpl Travis JonesMCG September 2018“A more contemporary quote by former CG, 1st MarDiv, James N. Mattis, bolsters Marine morale and erodes the will of potential adversaries: “No greater friend, no worse enemy.””
The Agony of VictoryMaj Barrett BradstreetMCG May 2019“Learning at Belleau Wood and learning from Belleau Wood”
Battle of Belleau WoodLtCol Michael “Kiwi” Kelly, USMC (Ret)MCG November 2020“Setting aside momentarily the emotional connection to Belleau Wood, the two key lessons identified, and more importantly learned, from Belleau Wood were: the ramifications of industrial-level warfare that the Corps’ leadership took forward with them into World War II and the von Clausewitz concept of the human factor in war…”

1918 – Château-Thierry

TitleAuthorEditionSummary
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES CITING MARINES IN FRANCEAnonymousMCG June 1918“The achievements of the Marines northwest of Chateau Thierry are almost certain to exert a far-reaching and beneficial effect in this country.”
THE UNITED STATES MARINES AT CHATEAU THIERRY-FOREWORDA. J. RichardsonMCG September 1928“Gayly they came, these brave American boys, youth and buoyancy in their step and look, idealism and purpose in their eyes.”
Controversy at Château-ThierryDavid C. HomsherMCG November 2007“In 1918, because of a lapse in censorship, the 8,000 United States Marines in the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) and fighting in France were given credit for the accomplishments of 250,000 American infantry and 1 million French infantry around Château-Thierry.”

1918 – Meuse-Argonne

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Miscellaneous

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