This is why some Marines wear the ‘French Fourragere,’ and some don’t

Tim Kirkpatrick
Updated onJan 2, 2023 8:02 AM PST
1 minute read
Coast Guard photo

SUMMARY

You may have noticed a select few Marines and sailors walking around in their uniforms with a green rope wrapped around their left arm — it’s not just for decoration. That green rope is called a “

You may have noticed a select few Marines and sailors walking around in their uniforms with a green rope wrapped around their left arm — it's not just for decoration. That green rope is called a "French Fourragere," and it was awarded to the members of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments for their heroic actions during the Battle of Belleau Wood from the French government in WWI.

This rite of passage extends to Marines who serve in those respected units today to commemorate their brothers in that historic battle. The Fourragere is authorized on all service uniforms, and dress coats or jackets where medals or ribbons are prescribed.

(USMC photo)

During the bloody summer months of 1918, the Marines and the Germans fiercely fought one another just northwest of the Paris-to-Metz road. For weeks, German Gen. Erich Ludendorff had his troops attack U.S. forces with artillery, machine guns, and deadly gas.

(Public domain)

Although the Marines sustained thousands of casualties during the skirmish, the infantrymen charged their opposition through the wooded area with fixed bayonets.

It's reported the French urged the Marines to turn back, but the grunts proceeded onward frequently engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.

By June 26, 1918, the war-hardened Marines confirmed that they secured the woods from German forces and took many prisoners.

And the French Fourragere reminds Leathernecks in this storied units of their World War I bravery.

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