William A. Snow-- Part 3: Distinguished Service Cross for Belleau Wood

He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross.

From his citation:

For extraordinary herosim  in action while serving  with2nd Engineers, 2nd Division, American Expeditionary Force (World War I), in the Belleau Wood, France, June 12-15, 1918.

On order to consolidate the  position of his brigade, Major Snow personally led one company from his battalion through a heavy barrage.  After passing through the barrage, he discovered that part of his company had become separated because of the violent fire.

He returned through the barrage and in so doing, was wounded in the neck.   After having his wound  dressed at the aid station,  he refused to go to the rear, but went back and  conducted the remainder of his men through the barrage.

Despite his wound,  he remained on duty for 16 hours until ordered to the rear.

*******************************

U.S. casualties at Belleau Wood, June 1-26, 1918, amounted to 1,811 killed and 7,966 wounded.

About William A. Snow (Snow's Cut)-- Part 2: Service in World War I

William Arthur Snow was born in Fort Hamilton, New York, to Major General and Mrs. William J. Snow.  He graduated from West Point in 1916 and was assigned to the Corps of Engineers as a second lieutenant.

His first service was in Mexico from graduation to the spring of 1917.  In late September, 1917, he sailed to France with the 2nd Division.  There, he immediately started training his company in construction work and preparing for the ineviatble battle that was coming in World War I.

Snow was at the front in the Verdun Sector, Chateau Thierry, Belleau Woods and Soissons and was wounded twice and later served with the Army of Occupation in Germany.

By now he was a major and was awarded the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Silver Cross, Chevalier Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre with Two Palms and the Silber Star Citation for his service during the war. 

--Cooter

June 6, 1944-- D-Day: Other Events That Happened on June 6 Through the Years

Today marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day here in the United States.  In most of Europe, June 6 was yesterday because of the international dateline.

From the June 6, 2019, Chicago Tribune "On June 6."

Here are some other events that took place on June 6.

1918--  The World War I battle of Belleau Wood, which resulted in a U.S. victory over the Germans in France.  This was a great day in the history of the USMC.

1925--  Walter Percy Chrysler founded the Chrysler Corporation.

1933--  The first drive-in movie theater opened in Camden, New Jersey.

1942--  Japanese forces retreated in the World War II Battle of Midway, regarded as the turning point in the war in the Pacific.

1944--  Allied forces launched their invasion of Europe, landing on the beaches of France in what became known as D-Day.

--Cooter

World War I Chronology, June 1918: Battle of Belleau Wood

JUNE 6

BATTLE OF BELLEAU WOOD

German offensive is stopped at the height of its attack.  Paris is saved.

A fierce fight occurs at Hill 142.

The 2nd Infantry Division's 4th Marine Brigade suffers 50 percent casualties (4,677).  This is where the Marines proved their mettle.

Total U.S. casualties:  1,811 KIA and 7,966 WIA.

An Army brigade captures Vaux, and two days later Bouresches is captured.

All told, the Germans lose 9,500 troops and have 1,600 captured.

--DaCoot

Marines Came of Age in WW I-- Part 6: A National WW I Memorial in D.C.!!

While Marines can proudly sing of the halls of Montezuma and the shores of Tripoli, in many ways, the Marine Corps became the fighting force it is today because of the grueling combat they experienced at Belleau Wood.

The World War I Centennial Commission was created by Congress to preserve and promote such stories.  The commission was also authorized to create the new National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C., to commemorate those who served during that global war, a tribute long overdue.

I am sure glad to find out that there is going to be a National World War I Memorial in D.C..  But I wish they had done it while we had the last veteran of that war alive, Frank Buckles.

--DaCoot

Marines Came of Age in WW I-- Part 5: "The Deadliest Weapon In the World Is ....

The human cost of the Battle of Belleau Wood was horrifying.  There were 1,811 Americans killed and 7,966 wounded, but their action stopped the German advance.  They killed and wounded thousands of Germans and captured more than 1,500.

In the eyes of the world, the Marines who fought at Belleau Wood proved that the "Teufel Hinden" (Devil Dogs) could stand toe-to-toe against the most experienced combat troops in the world and win.  General Pershing was so amazed by their tenacity that it brought about a famous quote from him:  "The deadliest weapon in the world is a United States Marine and his rifle."

The fortitude, discipline, courage instilled into the Marines of the 5th and 6th regiments can greatly be attributed to their noncommissioned officers.  Heavily relied upon as the "backbone of the Marine Corps," the NCO's long-standing profession as small unit leaders stands form today through every rank and file.

--Cooter

Marine's Came of Age in World War I-- Part 4: Marines Met Every Challenge in Belleau Wood

Belleau Wood would be among the first large-scale battles involving American troops, and the enemy knew it would set the tone for how the Americans would see themselves.  They attacked hard.

What happened at Belleau Wood was nothing short of ferocious -- a close-range pitched battle, through dense woods, where troops from both sides were desperate to advance the line and succeed the mission.  Machine gun fire, poison gas, mortars, grenades and bayonet counterattaxcks were all inflicted with hellish delivery.

The Marines met every challenge, mounting major frontal attacks on the enemy six different times for nearly a month.


That Answers Whether the Americans Came to Fight Or Not.  --Cooter

Today's Marine Corps Came of Age in WW I-- Part 3: Rushed Into Battle

It was then that the Marine Corps would undergo a radical transformation to do what it was asked to do.  Following boot camp (for the enlisted men) and Officer Candidate School (for officers), Marines would take a more advanced garrison and field training both stateside and following their arrival in France.

Before this Marines were primarily attached to ships and used in smaller operations.  (I attended Officer Candidate School in 1971 in Quantico, Virginia.)

However, the German Spring Offensive of 1918 altered that training, causing an immediate movement of undertrained troops to the outskirts of Paris.  The Marine mission was to stop the German Army breach into the Chateau-Thierry, the front line at a place known as Belleau Wood.

--Cooter

Illinois World War I Medal of Honor Winner Weedon E. Osborne

Born 1992.  Died June 6, 1918.

Native of Chicago.  U.S. Navy, lieutenant Dental Corps, attached to 6th Regiment USMC.

During the advance on Bouresche, France, at the southern edge of the Belleau Woods, Lt. Osborne was rescuing wounded under fire and killed while carrying them to safety.

He is buried at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial-Belleau in Lorraine, France.