ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Marine Corps Recruiting Station (RS) St. Louis commemorates the Battle of Belleau Wood at the Missouri History Museum June 17, 2018.
This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood where 5th and 6th Marine Regiment, many of whom enlisted from St. Louis, fought and paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Battle of Belleau Wood took place June of 1918 during the German Spring Offensive in France. It was an instrumental battle in World War I, and defined the Marine Corps as the world’s finest fighting force that it is today.
“One hundred and nine St. Louis Marines died at the Battle of Belleau Wood,” said Gary Tetley, former Marine and Belleau Wood researcher. “Gunnery Sergeant Fred Stockham was awarded the Medal of Honor for giving his life to save the youngest member of the all-St. Louis outfit, 96th Company, 6th Marine Regiment. All citizens of the St. Louis metropolitan area should be proud of these local Marines who gave up so much in the defense of this country.”
To commemorate this important moment in history and the brave men who lost their lives, RS St. Louis and the Missouri Historical Society hosted a public memorial ceremony for St. Louis residents.
This memorable ceremony included an unanswerable roll call, followed by military taps in honor of the fallen. Marine Corps Historians Annette Amerman and John Gordan, with the Marine Corps History Division, contributed greatly to the event. Special guest, Lyda Krewson, the Mayor of St. Louis, attended the ceremony, and remarks were made by Maj. Nicole Bastian, RS St. Louis Commanding Officer, and Sgt. Maj. Hector SotoRodriguez, Sergeant Major of RS St. Louis.
“The Marines of RS St. Louis are not much different from the Marines of WWI,” said Bastian. “Marines are still recruiting on our streets and still heading the nation’s call to win the nation’s battles and make Marines. We are the first to fight, devil dogs and the fighting spirit of our nation now and evermore.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2018 16:51 |
| Story ID: | 281851 |
| Location: | ST. LOUIS, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 166 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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