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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.

Background

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A vintage poster with the words "Teufel Hunden —German nickname for US Marines" above a bulldog in a Marine helmet chasing a daschund in a German military helmet, and below that the words "Devil dog recruiting station".
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

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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]

A white English Bulldog in a military uniform shakes paws with a man.
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]

References

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  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c Wachur, Mary-Michael (2022-11-09). "The Devil Dogs and their Bulldogs". Virginia War Memorial. Retrieved 2025-01-15.
  3. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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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