A summary of the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I [1918].
Battle of Belleau Wood from britannica.com
The Battle of Belleau Wood between 1st and 26th June 1918) was the first major engagement of the U.S. army in World War I.
It was a tough baptism of fire for the Americans but persistence and resolution secured them their first important victory in France.
The bravery of the U.S. Army’s 2nd Division, comprising the 4th Marine Brigade (the “Fighting Fifth” and 6th Marine Regiments) was especially noteworthy.
In recognition of their service and sacrifice, the French renamed Belleau Wood the “Bois de la Brigade de Marine”—Wood of the Marine Brigade—and awarded the 4th Marine Brigade the coveted Croix de Guerre.
French troops began to fall back and urged the Americans to do likewise, eliciting the famous response from U.S. Marine Captain Lloyd W. Williams: “Retreat? Hell, we just got here!” The Americans dug in and with a fine display of marksmanship held the German attack on 4 June.
The Americans launched six attacks before the Germans were finally expelled from Belleau Wood on 26 June 1918.
Donald Trump and the.. anonymous.. Soldiers are Losers statement.
An anonymous source says the president believed the Marines who died in the battle of Belleau Wood during World War I were “suckers”, and that Mr. Trump said, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.”
Trump actually cancelled his visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018 because of the weather.
This was the explanation given:
“I was ready to go to the ceremony,”
“It was raining about as hard as I’ve ever seen. And on top of that it was very, very foggy. And the helicopter was unable to fly”
The Secret Service apparently told him “You can’t do it.”
President Trump emphatically denied a new report that said he had called Americans who died at war “losers” and “suckers.”
“I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes.
A White House statement said the Belleau visit was “canceled due to scheduling and logistical difficulties caused by the weather”, and said a delegation “led by Chief of Staff Gen John Kelly and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Joe Dunford” would attend on behalf of the Trumps. (theguardian.com)
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