When the battle at Belleau Wood was over, the ground was soaked with the blood of nearly 10,000 American casualties, including more than 1,800 killed, and an unknown number of Germans.

Belleau Wood - a bloody encounter of WW1 - occupies a special place in the annals of American military history, an early and vital display of American capability on the battlefield.

WASHINGTON -- It is 100 years to the day, June 26, 1918, since an obscure wood 50 miles from Paris, the Bois de Belleau, was captured by U.S. forces in a protracted battle of WW1.

On July 10, 1918, the east perimeter of Belleau Wood near the old river of war, the Marne, was officially secured by American troops.

Collection of Adolph B. Miller/COLL1068, United States Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections, Flickr // CC BY 2.0. Despite major losses, by June 11 the Marines had reclaimed most of Belleau ...

"Retreat, hell! We just got here!" Williams' statement came at the outset of a 25-day confrontation between the Marines and Germans at Belleau Wood.In spite of their eagerness to enter the fight ...

Remembered for their gritty, victorious stand some 105 years ago, Belleau Wood stands immortal in Marine Corps lore. “The Germans were good,” Clark wrote.

Belleau Wood - a bloody encounter of WW1 - occupies a special place in the annals of American military history, an early and vital display of American capability on the battlefield.

By June 26 the Marines finally secured Belleau Wood, significantly undermining the momentum of the German offensive — albeit at a heavy price.

Belleau Wood - a bloody encounter of WW1 ... What happened there was an important moment in the development of the US Marine Corps and the Americans' contribution in the war.