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Medal of Honor Citation for Wendell Cushing Neville

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps.
Born: 12 May 1870, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Appointed from: Virginia.
G.O. No.: 177, 4 December 1915.
Other Navy award: Distinguished Service Medal.

Citation:

For distinguished conduct in battle engagements of Vera Cruz 21 and 22 April 1914. In command of the 2d Regiment Marines, Lt. Col. Neville was in both days' fighting and almost continually under fire from soon after landing, about noon on the 21st, until we were in possession of the city, about noon of the 22d. His duties required him to be at points of great danger in directing his officers and men, and he exhibited conspicuous courage, coolness, and skill in his conduct of the fighting. Upon his courage and skill depended, in great measure, success or failure. His responsibilities were great and he met them in a manner worthy of commendation.

Additional Sources:

www.arlingtoncemetery.net
tun-tavern.diakonos.com
www.worldwar1.com
www.phoenixmasonry.org
www.homeofheroes.com
www.grunts.net
www.scuttlebuttsmallchow.com
www.abmc.gov
www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
www.oldgloryprints.com

On May 28th, 1918, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines of the 4th Marine Brigade were sent to help in the Belleau Wood sector. As they were approaching they were met by the French Commander of the troops that were already there who advised Marine Colonel Wendell C. Neville that the discreet thing to do was retreat. Neville's reply was a characteristic "Retreat Hell! We just got here!" They stayed and drove the numerically superior Germans out of Belleau Wood and other strong holds. It was here that the ferocious fighting that the Marines displayed caused the Germans to start referring to the Marines as "Teufelhunden", which means, "Devil Dogs".