One of the great defining moments in the history of the U.S. Marine Corps is their participation in World War I. It is a story of exceptional heroism and significant operational achievements as well some lessons learned the hard way. Two Marines, well known for their achievements in uniform as well as with the pen, have recorded this rich history in a way that only "insiders" can. General Simmons and Colonel Alexander have recounted the events in great detail, capturing the spirit that earned the WWI Marines the sobriquet "Devil dogs," while providing an important combat study worthy of attention by veterans and neophytes alike. This is both a combat study and a celebration of those special qualities that make the U.S. Marine Corps the respected service it is today. <br>Names like Belleau Wood, Soissons, and St. Mihiel resonate today, nearly a century later, and Simmons and Alexander leave no doubt as to why. Hand-to-hand combat as seen through the lenses of a gas mask is accompanied by cogent analysis and thought-provoking assessments of this unique war and its impact on the U.S. Marine Corps.