United States Marine Corps Mascot

Mascots have been used throughout history to represent the spirit and character of a group of people.  Not to be outdone, the United States Marine Corps adopted the bulldog as its mascot on June 27, 1927.

Brigadier General Smedley Butler enlisted Jiggs into the Marine Corps as a Sergeant in 1922.  Sergeant Jiggs starred in the 1926 movie “Tell it to the Marines”.  Jiggs achieved the rank of Sergeant Major before his death in 1927.  In honor of Jiggs, the Marine Corps adopted the bulldog as its mascot.  The mascot was named Jiggs until 1956.

Chesty makes his Entrance

The name of the mascot changed in 1957 to Chesty in honor of Lieutenant General Lewis B “Chesty” Puller, Jr. and continues as the name of the official US Marine Corps mascot to this day.

The bulldog as the USMC mascot alludes to the name the Germans gave to the US Marines at the Battle of Belleau Wood in 1918.  The Germans called the US Marines “Teufel Hunden” which means devil dog.  Along with the Marine Corps Motto of Semper Fidelis, bulldogs are a naturally fit for the Marines.

According to the American Kennel Club Breed Standard, “Kind but curious, friendly but dignified, the Bulldog is a thick-set, low-slung, well-muscled bruiser whose “sourmug” face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity.”  To learn more about the Bulldog breed, visit the American Kennel Club website here.

Newest USMC Mascot

The current mascot, Chesty XV, made his debut at the Marine Barracks Washington in 2018.  To see a video of Chesty XV meeting Chesty XIV before he begins learning his duties, check out this article by The Stars and Stripes newspaper.

Semper Fi, Chesty, Semper Fi!

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