'Devil Dogs'
English bulldog has colorful history as Marine mascot

Semper Fi, Devil Dogs
A few weeks ago, my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, S.C. Since it has been more than a decade since I was stationed there, I was impressed by the changes to the base. Gone are the old wash racks that recruits used to wash their uniforms. Now they use washing machines and dryers for this task. Several of the old buildings have been replaced, and the old causeway has been redone. Marine recruits stationed at Parris Island now live in modern dormitories. There is a feeling of modernization to the whole base. The one thing that was not changed, however, is the respect for traditions of the Corps.
One of the most beloved traditions is the Marine Corps mascot, the bulldog. The story of how the bulldog became interwoven with Marine Corps history is an interesting one.
To find the beginning of this tradition you would have to travel back in time to the War to end all Wars, World War I. When captured German officers were interrogated, they were asked, "What do you think of our Marines?" The answer to that question has become a colorful addition to Marine history. Several of these Germans likened the Marines' fierce fighting ability to that of a Bavarian folklore creature called a teufel-hunden or "devil dog." This small dog-like mountain creature was legendary for its viciousness and ferocity. When the German army had the Marines outnumbered in several engagements, the Marines' bravery and courage stood to prove victorious. Thanks to the German Army, the U.S. Marine Corps acquired an unofficial mascot and title - Devil Dog.
The news press soon heard of the story and presented it to the American public. Not long afterward, a Marine recruiting poster depicted a snarling English bulldog wearing a Marine Corps helmet chasing a Dachshund wearing a spiked helmet and Iron Cross appeared. Because of the tenacity and demeanor of the bulldog, the image took root with both the Marines and the public. The Marines now had an unofficial mascot, the English bulldog.
In 1922, the bulldog was elevated from unofficial mascot to become the official mascot of the Marines. In a formal ceremony on Oct. 14, 1922, in Quantico, Va., Brig. Gen. Smedley D. Butler signed documents enlisting a bulldog named Jiggs for the "term of life." Pvt. Jiggs then began his official duties in the Marine Corps.
A hard-charging Marine, Pvt. Jiggs did not remain a private for long. Within three months he was wearing corporal chevrons on his custom-made uniform. On Jan. 1, 1924, Jiggs was promoted to sergeant. And in a meteoric rise, he got promoted again - this time to sergeant major -seven months later.
Sgt. Maj. Jiggs' death on Jan. 9, 1927, was mourned throughout the Corps. His satin-lined coffin lay in state in a hangar at Quantico, surrounded by flowers from hundreds of Corps admirers. He was interred with full military honors.
Upon the death of Jiggs, former heavyweight boxing champion James J. "Gene" Tunney, who had fought with the Marines in France, donated his English bulldog to fill the empty boots of the mascot. Renamed Jiggs II, he stepped into the role of his predecessor.
Several mascots followed in the paw steps of Jiggs. In the late 1950s, the Marine barracks in Washington, the oldest post in the Corps, became the new home for the Corps' mascot. Renamed "Chesty" to honor the legendary Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller Jr., the mascot made his first formal public appearance at the evening parade on July 5, 1957. In his canine dress blues, Chesty became an immediate media hit!
After the demise of the original Chesty, a replacement was enlisted named Chesty II, who proved to be a renegade. To say the least, he was not the ideal, disciplined Marine. During one outburst of canine defiance, he escaped and went AWOL. Two days later he was returned in a police paddy wagon just in time of the evening parade.
Due to his unmilitary-like behavior, Chesty II was replaced by his son, Chesty III, who was the complete opposite of his father and proved to be a model Marine. He became a favorite of Marines everywhere, played with neighborhood children, and became a media darling. For being an outstanding ambassador for the Marine Corps, Chesty II was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.
Nov. 10 is the 228th birthday of the Marine Corps. Take time to wish all Marines a happy birthday and to thank them and all our other servicemen and women for the job they do to protect our great country.
Eamon P. Riley is a professional dog trainer and animal behavioral consultant. For suggestions or comments, he can be emailed at dogmanusmc@aol.com or by calling 689-9483.