Belleau Wood Marine Memorial

General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., then Commandant of the Marine Corps, returned after 37 years to Belleau Wood, where he had fought as a Lieutenant during World War I, to deliver the major address dedicating the monument (covered by flag) to the 4th Brigade of U.S. Marines and their gallantry during the Belleau Wood encounter of 1918.
Official photograph from the archives of the Marine Corps History Division.

While this monument is officially titled The Marine Memorial, Marines have nicknamed this "Iron Mike."

This life-size bas-relief, depicting a Marine attacking with rifle with fixed bayonet, was created by Felix de Weldon, the same sculptor who created the Marine Corps Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Official photograph from the Marine Corps History Division archives.

Damaged during the battle, the hunting lodge has been preserved at the Belleau Wood battlefield as part of the American Battle Monument at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial.

The private hunting lodge was a landmark for the Americans fighting in Belleau Wood. This photo, taken immediately after the battle, is from the photographic archives of the United States Marine Corps History Division.

This photograph, courtesy of the Marine Corps History Division photographic archives, shows the area prior to World War II. The buildings, an early war museum, did not survive the second German occupation of these woods.
Note also the central flag pole and cross shaped memorial to the right. That original memorial read:
In Memory of 50 and more American Heroes Whose resting places in this Wood Are still unknown.

He is buried in St. Timothy Churchyard, Roxborough PA. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: PETTY, ORLANDO HENDERSON • Rank and organization: Lieutenant (Medical Corps), USNRF • Appointed from: Pennsylvania Citation: For extraordinary heroism while serving with the 5th Regiment, U.S. Marines, in France during the attack in the Boise de Belleau, 11 June 1918. While under heavy fire of high explosive and gas shells in the town of Lucy, where his dressing station was located, Lt. Petty attended to and evacuated the wounded under most trying conditions. Having been knocked to the ground by an exploding gas shell which tore his mask, Lt. Petty discarded the mask and courageously continued his work. His dressing station being hit and demolished, he personally helped carry Capt. Williams, wounded, through the shellfire to a place of safety.

He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Union NJ. He was Killed in Acton. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: *STOCKHAM, FRED W. (Army Medal) • Rank and organization: Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 96th Company, 2d Battalion, 6th Regiment • Place and date: In Bois-de-Belleau, France, 13-14 June 1918 • Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Citation: During an intense enemy bombardment with high explosive and gas shells which wounded or killed many members of the company, G/Sgt. Stockham, upon noticing that the gas mask of a wounded comrade was shot away, without hesitation, removed his own gas mask and insisted upon giving it to the wounded man, well knowing that the effects of the gas would be fatal to himself. He continued with undaunted courage and valor to direct and assist in the evacuation of the wounded, until he himself collapsed from the effects of gas, dying as a result thereof a few days later. His courageous conduct undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his wounded comrades and his conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacrifice were a source of great inspiration to all who served with him.

Center of Belleau Wood. Looking west, France. (Credit: Keystone-Mast Collection, UCR/California Museum of Photography, University of California at Riverside.)

This was the original Marine Memorial at Belleau Wood. It was destroyed by the Germans during World War II. It can also be seen in photo #12 of this entry. Its inscription is clearly readable:

In Memory of 50 and more American Heroes
Whose resting places in this Wood
Are still unknown