The 5thMR's WWI History
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The unit was activated on June 8, 1917, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the 5th Regiment of Marines. They immediately deployed to France and were assigned to the 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army. Later that year, in October, they were reassigned to 4th Brigade of Marines under the 2nd Infantry Division.
In spring the regiment was involved in the fierce battle of Belleau Wood, gaining the respect even of battle-hardened, veteran German troops.
The Fifth subsequently participated in the offensive campaigns at Aisne, Battle of Saint-Mihiel and in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. They also participated in the defensive campaigns at Toulon-Troyon, Château-Thierry, Marbache and Limey. From 1918 until 1919 the regiment participated in the occupation of the German Rhineland. In August 1919 it relocated back to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. It was deactivated on August 13, 1919.
The regiment's actions in France earned them the right to wear the Fourragère (seen in the outline of the unit's logo), one of only two in the Marine Corps (the other being the 6th Marine Regiment). The award was a result of being the only regiments in the American Expeditionary Force to receive three Croix de guerre citations: two in the order of the army and one in the order of the corps—Fourragère and Croix de guerre with two Palms and Gilt Star. The Fourragère became part of the uniform of the unit, and all members of the organization are authorized to wear the decoration on the left shoulder of the uniform as long as they remain members of the organization.
Three Marines of the regiment were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the war. Sergeant Louis Cukela, Gunnery Sergeant Ernest A. Janson, and Sergeant Matej Kocak each received two Medals of Honor (one from the Navy and one from the Army) for a single action, making them three of only nineteen double recipients of the medal. In addition, two U.S. Navy officers attached the 5th Marines received the Medal of Honor: Lieutenant Commander Alexander Gordon Lyle of the Navy Dental Corps and Lieutenant Orlando H. Petty of the Medical Corps.[1][/i]
Unit was Reactivated on July 8, 1920. Elements of the Regiment participated in mail guard duty in the Eastern United States from November 1921 through May 1922 and once again from October 1926 through February 1927.
They then deployed to Nicaragua from January 1927. They continuously fought Nicaraguan Rebels until they were again deactivated on April 11, 1930.
5th Marines was reactivated for the last time on September 1, 1934 at Quantico, Virginia and were assigned to the 1st Marine Brigade. In 1940 they were deployed to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba and reassigned to the 1st Marine Division in February 1941. They were garrisoned at New River, North Carolina.
The 5thMR fought in 4 seperate battles. The Battle of Belleau Wood, The Battle of Château-Thierry, The Battle of Saint-Mihiel, and The Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
They played a major part in all battles and earned many awards throughout its time of service. The 5th Marines is one of two Marine Corps regiments authorized to wear the Fourragère for heroic actions during World War I. The ceremony emphasizes the Marines' commitment to the rich history of the Fighting Fifth.
The Marines originally earned the nickname Devil Dogs for their tenacity against the German opposition during the Battle of Belleau Woods, the most well known of these battles. The honor to wear the fourragere adds to the Regiment’s rich history and centuries of service.
“Fifth Marines is the most decorated regiment in the Marine Corps,” said Bohm, a native of Ithaca, N.Y. “Our history and tradition are very important to us.”
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