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(projector running)

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(plane flying)

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- [Narrator] 2018 marks the centennial

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for the Battle of Belleau Wood.

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One of the most well-known
battles in Marine Corp history,

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and first large-scale
battles in World War I.

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The battles start on June
6th, but on June 1st,

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it began when German forces made their way

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into the French lines next
to the Marine's position.

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Then on June 2nd, 51st
company, 2nd battalion,

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5th Marines under the command
of Captain Lloyd Williams,

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was sent to support the French Army.

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As the Marines arrived, they
found French troops retreating.

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As the French were leaving

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they urged the marines to do the same.

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But Williams responded
with his famous words,

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"Retreat hell, we just got here."

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Then at 3:45 a.m. on June 6th,
the Allies launched an attack

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on the German forces who were
preparing their own strike.

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As the French attacked to the left,

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the Marines attacked to Hill 142

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to prevent flanking
fire against the French.

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But hid in the woods where German infantry

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with machine gun nests and
artillery ready to fire.

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First battalion, 5th Marines,

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commanded by Major Julius Terrell,

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were outgunned and under
manned but they didn't hesitate

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as they ran through an
open wheat field in waves

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with bayonets fixed as
the Germans fired their

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machine guns and artillery.

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Many Marines were killed and
injured during the attack.

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Marine Captain George Wallace
Hamilton of the 49th Company,

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were surrounded by German machine guns,

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getting into position.

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Hamilton discovered the
enemy before their guns

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were in position and attacked
them with his bayonet

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and captured their machine guns.

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Hamilton was awarded two
distinguished service crosses

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and a Navy cross for his gallantry.

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In the German counter-attack on Hill 142,

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Gunnery Sergeant Ernest
Jantzen prevented the advance

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of 12 German soldiers,
killing two with his bayonet

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before the others fled.

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These actions led Jantzen to
be the first Marine to receive

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the Medal of Honor in World War I.

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At 5 p.m. on June 6th,
the Marines advanced

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through waist-high wheat fields

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towards German machine gun fire.

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And it was here that Marine
history was being made

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during the initial step
off for the battle.

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When Gunnery Sergeant Dan
Daily prompted his men

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forward with his actual words,

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"For Christ's sake men,

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"come on do you want to live forever?"

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(bugle music)

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June 6th, 1918, a hundred years ago,

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was a date that is seared
into the collective memory

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of the United States Marine Corp.

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The Marines fought the
Germans so viciously,

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legend has it that the
Germans called them,

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Tuefel Hunden or Devil dogs.

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And now America's veterans
who made the supreme sacrifice

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for the cause of freedom.

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Rest in peace as freedom lives on.

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Semper Fidelis.