Chesty (mascot)

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Chesty, a Bulldog, is the unofficial mascot of the U.S. Marine Corps. The first Chesty was named after Lewis "Chesty" Puller in July 1957. The current dog, Chesty XVI, is the 16th mascot named Chesty. Chesty's duties include attending drills and parades and joining community events.

Contents

Background

1918 recruitment post using the "devil dogs" nickname. Teufel Hunden poster.jpg
1918 recruitment post using the "devil dogs" nickname.

Marines have had a bulldog as a mascot since 1922, shortly after WWI, when they were allegedly called "devil dogs" (German: teufel hunden) by their German opponents during the Battle of Belleau Wood. According to Bob Aquilina of the Marine Corps History Division, the term actually predated the battle. [1] The first bulldog mascot was called Jiggs, who was succeeded by a bulldog named Private Pagett, [1] then Jiggs II, and then several Smedleys, named after Smedley Butler. [2] The first Chesty was named in July 1957, after Lewis "Chesty" Puller, the most decorated Marine in history. Since then, the Marine Corps mascot at the Washington Barracks, their oldest post, have been named Chesty, with an incrementing Roman numeral. [3] [4]

Past and present Chestys

Chesty is always an English bulldog. [5] [6] The current dog, Chesty XVI, is the 16th bulldog mascot of the Marine Corps. [7] He took over as mascot in May 2022. [2] Chesty's duties include attending drills and parades along with the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, and joining community events. [7] [3] Chesty traditionally participates in every Friday Evening Parade. [8] They have their own uniforms and receive promotions and medals like their human colleagues. [1] Each Chesty starts at "recruit" and is traditionally mentored by the previous Chesty for some time until being promoted to private when he is ready to take up his duties. [9] Training for Chesty includes standard dog command such as sitting when asked, and friendly interactions with parade crowds. [10] After several years of service, the dogs are honorably discharged and adopted out. [11]

Past dogs have included Chesty VI, who was demoted to private from private first class for "willfully… ripping and tearing up a everlast striking bag, of value of about $176.80, military property of the United States" and disobeying a direct order to stay away from the punching bag, and then received two weeks of extra duty for biting two corporals on the foot. [2] [12]

Chesty XIII congratulated on promotion to sergeant. Paul Montanus and Chesty USMC-120601-M-RT059-056.jpg
Chesty XIII congratulated on promotion to sergeant.

Chesty XIII caused an incident by snarling at a dog owned by Leon Panetta, while Chesty II went missing several times. [13] Chesty XV had to be pardoned by the secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro at his retirement ceremony for misconduct like jumping on parade guests. [14] On the other hand, his successor Chesty XVI was promoted to private first class by Del Toro, who cited his "nearly spotless record". [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chesty Puller</span> United States Marine Corps general (1898–1971)

Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller was a United States Marine Corps officer. Beginning his career fighting guerillas in Haiti and Nicaragua as part of the Banana Wars, he later served with distinction in World War II and the Korean War as a senior officer. By the time of his retirement in 1955, he had reached the rank of lieutenant general.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulldog</span> British breed of dog

The Bulldog is a British breed of dog of mastiff type. It may also be known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog. It is a medium-sized, muscular dog of around 40–55 lb (18–25 kg). They have large heads with thick folds of skin around the face and shoulders and a relatively flat face with a protruding lower jaw. The breed has significant health issues as a consequence of breeding for its distinctive appearance, including brachycephaly, hip dysplasia, heat sensitivity, and skin infections. Due to concerns about their quality of life, breeding Bulldogs is illegal in Norway and the Netherlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reveille (dog)</span> Texas A&M mascot

Reveille is the official mascot of Texas A&M University. Students adopted the first Reveille, a mixed-breed dog, in 1931. The cadets raised $100 during World War II to make Reveille a general, as part of a fundraiser for the K-9 Corps. Reveille is the highest-ranking member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets she is the only cadet to have five silver diamonds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon</span> 24-man rifle platoon

The United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon is a 24-man rifle platoon led by a Captain and Platoon Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps (USMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devil Dog</span> U.S. Marine nickname

Devil Dog is a nickname for a United States Marine coined during World War I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.</span> US Marine Corps base in Washington, D.C.

Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. is located at the corner of 8th and I streets, Southeast in Washington, D.C. Established in 1801, it is a National Historic Landmark, the oldest post in the United States Marine Corps, the official residence of the Commandant of the Marine Corps since 1806, and the main ceremonial grounds of the Corps. It is home to the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the U.S. Marine Band. Barracks Marines conduct ceremonial missions in and around the National Capital Region as well as abroad. They also provide security at designated locations around Washington, D.C. as necessary, and Barracks officers are part of the White House Social Aide Program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry E. Smedley</span>

Corporal Larry Eugene Smedley was a United States Marine who posthumously received the United States' highest military decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in December 1967 in Quảng Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam. The Corporal Larry E. Smedley National Vietnam War Museum in Florida is named for him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military mascot</span> Animals kept by the armed forces for ceremonial purposes

A military mascot, also known as a ceremonial pet or regimental mascot, is a pet animal maintained by a military unit as a mascot for ceremonial purposes and/or as an emblem of that unit. It differs from a military animal in that it is not employed for use directly in warfare as a weapon or for transport.

Chesty may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald L. Green</span> United States Marine (born 1964)

Ronald L. Green is a United States Marine who served as the 18th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. He succeeded Micheal Barrett on February 20, 2015, and relinquished the post to Troy E. Black on July 26, 2019. As the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Green was the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps. Green retired during the summer of 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunset Parade</span>

The Sunset Parade is a military parade performed by the United States Marine Corps at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It is very loosely based on the Landing Party Manual and is executed on Tuesday evenings in the summer, involving approximately 200 personnel drawn from the garrison of Marine Barracks Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Friday Evening Parade</span>

The Friday Evening Parade is a public duty performed by the United States Marine Corps at Marine Barracks Washington. It is executed on Friday evenings during the summer months. The parade's drill is loosely based on the Landing Party Manual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiggs II</span> Bulldog who served as the mascot of the United States Marine Corp

Jiggs II, also known as Silent White Richard, was the second of a number of English Bulldogs to serve as mascots of the United States Marine Corps. He succeeded the original mascot, Jiggs, following that dog's death in 1927. A champion of the Westminster Dog Show, Jiggs II was a generally well-behaved dog with a sensitive disposition – a contrast to his disagreeable friend Private Pagett. He served as Marine Corps mascot for ten years and, after death, was buried with full military honors at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chesty XIV</span>

Chesty XIV was the mascot of the United States Marine Corps from 2013 to 2018. A male English Bulldog, he was named after Chesty Puller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chesty XV</span> Dog and mascot of the US Marine Corps

Chesty XV was the mascot of the United States Marine Corps from 2018 to 2022. A male English Bulldog, he is named after Chesty Puller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chesty XIII</span>

Chesty XIII was the mascot of the United States Marine Corps from 2008 to 2013. A male English Bulldog, he was named after Chesty Puller. James N. Mattis once described Chesty XIII as "a kindred soul", however, the dog was also disruptive on at least one occasion when he snarled and barked at Bravo, United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's Golden Retriever.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chesty XII</span> Former mascot of the United States Marine Corps

Chesty XII is the former mascot of the United States Marine Corps from 2002 to 2008. A brindle and white male English Bulldog, he was named after Chesty Puller. Chesty XII was retired in 2008 and sent to live with two married members of the United States Marine Band "The President's Own". During his tenure as mascot, he was reported to have had a "spotty disciplinary record".

Chesty XVI is the mascot of the United States Marine Corps. A male English Bulldog, he is named after Chesty Puller.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Skitt, Laura (2024-08-05). "Why US Marine Corps mascot is a British bulldog and how it built bond with Royal Marines". www.forcesnews.com. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  2. 1 2 3 Wachur, Mary-Michael (2022-11-09). "The Devil Dogs and their Bulldogs". Virginia War Memorial. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  3. 1 2 Toropin, Konstantin (2022-02-03). "New Chesty, Same Dog Face: The Marines Announce a Canine Changing-of-the-Guard". Military.com. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  4. ↑ "Chesty XV takes over as Marine Corps Barracks Washington mascot". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  5. ↑ "Chesty XVI, Mascot of Marine Barracks Washington, Promoted to Lance Corporal". DVIDS. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  6. ↑ "Meet Chesty, the Marine Mascot". Cedar Rapids Gazette. June 29, 1987. p. 10.
  7. 1 2 Sicard, Sarah (2022-02-03). "Marine Corps welcomes its newest mascot". Military Times. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  8. ↑ "International Dog Day". www.nationalguard.mil. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  9. ↑ Domingo, Ida (2022-02-03). "Marine Barracks Washington welcomes new official mascot: Chesty XVI". WJLA. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  10. ↑ "Marine Corps mascot Chesty XV promoted to lance corporal". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  11. ↑ Burke, Anna. "The Legacy of Chesty: How a Bulldog Became the United States Marine Corps Mascot". American Kennel Club. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  12. ↑ Snow, Shawn (2019-09-08). "1979 Marine mascot Chesty VI was demoted for destroying government property, among other offenses". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  13. ↑ Stilwell, Blake (2022-12-16). "Marine Corps Mascot Chesty XVI Gets Promoted on His Way to Outranking You". Military.com. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  14. 1 2 Loewenson, Irene (2022-12-14). "Marine Corps' top dog promoted to private 1st class". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
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