Change of command of Marine Mascot

United States Marines first formed on November 10, 1775

Veterans’ Day- November 11

Molly the Bulldog has retired as mascot at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego to be replaced by Pvt. Belleau Wood, a 7-month old puppy.

After seven years of faithful service, Molly (right) will live with a Marine officer in Texas in her retirement. She achieved celebrity status when she played a role on the military themed TV show “Mail Call.”

The new puppy is named after a World War I battle in France and according to her handler she already has some of the Marine Corps grit.

“She’s really hardheaded on certain stuff,” said Cpl. Shawn Dickens, her Marine handler. For instance, “sit” is solid. “Stay,” well, that’s another tale.

Cpl. Dickens keeps Belleau in his barracks and like many other humans he shares his bed with her.

The Marine depot’s tradition of keeping dog mascots goes back to the 1930’s. Source

One of the most famous Marine Corps mascots to reside aboard the base was, a sad-eyed multi breed canine with two hashmarks, “Sgt Soochow.” Soochow started out as the mascot of B Company, 1st Bn, 4th Regiment stationed in Shanghai in 1937.

By the time the regiment shipped out to the Philippines in 1941, shortly before the start of World War II, Soochow had been claimed as mascot by the entire regiment. Soochow hit the foxholes with the other Marines during the siege of Corregidor, and fought alongside his buddies, snarling and snapping at the Japanese.

He [was] captured when the island surrendered on 6 May 1942. Soochow spent nearly three years in various prisoner of war camps. During his internment, his serviceman’s record book was hidden, but it was later recovered. He and 17 Marines were liberated by American Rangers in February 1945.

He was taken to the Marine Base in San Diego where he lived the remainder of his life in luxury as the Recruit Depot’s mascot.

Soochow held the Philippine Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, Good Conduct, WW II Victory and American Defense Medals and ribbons.

Soochow may have been the only mascot to have a parade in his honor. On 29 October 1946, the entire Recruit Depot turned out en masse to take part in and witness a parade in honor of Soochow’s ninth birthday. He passed away on 21 April 1947. Source

Semper Fi, Soochow, Molly, and Belleau

Comments

[Khyra]

I bet woo think they missed out by not having one of WOO as their maskhot!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

[Dixie the Poodle]

Poodles ar much kyooter

[Dennis the Vizsla]

Happy retirement, Molly!

[The Crazy Suburban Mom]

Wow! I didnt know any of this!

[rosemary]

May Molly have a wonderful retirement...is she collecting Social Security or Marine retirement pay...you gotta keep up with the cookies and kibble bunch.

[cube]

Molly served her country and deserves a long, happy retirement.

[jansfunnyfarm]

What a story. Thanks for sharing it.

[Jimmy]

Most excellent Veteran's Day post. Semper Fido

[Dr. Liz]

Heehee. 'Semper Fido'. I love it! Thanks for the post. I know that dogs have had a long history serving with our armed forces, and I'm always proud to see one of my "brothers" (or sisters, as the case may be) honored!

*kissey face*
-Fiona (and Family)

[bev]

Excellent post for Veteran's Day! Best of luck Molly! And hooray for Pvt. Belleau Wood!

[jackie]

what a great story...

[Chris]

Hmmm.. a stubborn bulldog, imagine that. : )

Its always interesting to me that working dogs are sometimes retired at such an early age.