---
title: "The origins behind some of the best military nicknames"
date: "2018-03-31"
modified: "2020-10-22"
authors:
  - name: "Orvelin Valle"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/orvelinvalle/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/podcast/the-origins-behind-some-of-the-best-military-nicknames/"
categories:
  - "History"
---

# The origins behind some of the best military nicknames

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17301830/origin.jpg>)

---

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A nickname is a revealing indication of a man or woman's character. Whether it's bad or badass, it's usually determined by peer evaluation — unless there's something so obvious about a person's appearance that a nickname is impossible to avoid.

In this episode of the WATM podcast, we discuss our favorite military leader nicknames and how they earned their labels. Some leaders wear them with pride, while others resent their given monikers.

**Related: [7 badass nicknames enemies have given the American military](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/7-badass-nicknames-enemies-have-given-the-american-military/>)**

**Hosted by:**

- [Logan Nye](<https://www.facebook.com/Logan.Nye.writes/>): Army veteran and Associate Editor
- [Blake Stilwell](<https://www.facebook.com/StilwellAngel/>): Air Force veteran and Managing Editor
- [Tracy Woodward](<https://twitter.com/tbonewoodward>): Benevolent smartass and Social Media coordinator
- [Orvelin Valle (AKA O.V.)](<https://twitter.com/orvelinvalle>): Navy veteran and Podcast Producer

### Selected links and show notes from the episode:

- [11 best-ever nicknames of military leaders](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/popular/11-best-military-leader-nicknames-throughout-history/>)
- [Here's how Patton earned his military nickname 'Old Blood and Guts'](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/how-general-patton-earned-the-fearless-name-old-blood-and-guts/>)
- [The 15 coolest unit nicknames in the US military](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/military-nicknames/>)
- 37 been-there-done-that nicknames for military gear
- \[02:50\] Captain Sir Douglas "Tin Legs" Bader.
- \[08:15\] Captain Michael "Black Baron" Wittmann.
- \[11:20\] General of the Armies John "Black Jack" Pershing.
- \[13:10\] Lieutenant Gen. James "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin.
- \[17:15\] General Norman "The Bear" Schwarzkopf.
- \[21:00\] Major Gen. Smedley "The Fighting Quaker" Butler.
- \[26:15\] "The Constable" Gen. Charles de Gaulle.
- \[27:25\] Lieutenant Gen. Lewis "Chesty" Puller.
- \[37:10\] [Ethelred the Unready](<https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ethelred-II>).
- \[37:50\] Corporal Eugene Jacques Bullard, "[The Black Swallow of Death](<https://www.au.af.mil/au/afri/aspj/apjinternational/apj-s/2005/3tri05/chivaletteeng.html>)."
  - Editor's note, the podcast hosts mistakingly called Bullard, "The Black Sparrow of Death."
- \[41:20\] Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion

### Music licensed by Jingle Punks:

- Cheval Vapeur
- Goal Line
- Show Me

## Author
OV is a Navy veteran and an expert in social media and entertainment marketing. Previously, with music electronics company Roland, he created social media outreach and growth strategies that became Roland's worldwide corporate standard. OV also managed social media and promotions for Madison Square Garden and Clear Channel Radio.