"The 15 coolest unit nicknames in the US military" Topic

"Every unit in the military has a nickname, but some are way cooler than others. We looked around for some of the best nicknames across the military. Here's what we found:…"

See here
link

Amicalement
Armand

I always find the US obsession with snazzy nicknames for military units rather lame. I guess it's a morale thing. 'Esprit de corps' or some such.

I'm not knocking the practice – if it works why not? Same goes for dishing out medals and awards by the chestful. Seems silly to an outsider but it seems to work for them.

I can't believe that "Wild Weasel" did not make the list

I am with Random on this – "Rocketeers" does not cut the mustard compared to "Wild Weasels" – a classmate of mine from way back was a fighter jock who knew some of them – apparently wild men in and out of the cockpit

When I was in the Army, I had a friend in the field artillery. His unit's nickname was "Thundering Pride". I always liked that one.

Screaming Eagles, the Black Aces, Sundowners, Pukin' dawgs, Big Red One, Rock of the Marne, the Top Hatters. So many more that should have been on the list.

All-American is another one.

I don't think they looked very hard. I've always been partial to Black Horse.

Was the 23rd Div known as the 'Electric Strawberry' in SE Asia.

I like the Indian 3rd Cavalry, who having no benefactor nicknamed themselves, 'Nobody's Own'.

Quite coolest too boys!.

Amicalement
Armand

I don't think they looked very hard. I've always been partial to Black Horse.

Thank you.

Sgt Fury's Howlin' Commandoes

I was always partial to the 555th TFS, Triple Nickel Mig Killers, or the largest distributer of Mig parts in the world with 39 confirmed kills in VN.

Someone didn't do their homework.

1st Force Recon – Swift Silent Deadly: link

Wolfhag

Was the 23rd Div known as the 'Electric Strawberry' in SE Asia.

No, that was the 25th Infantry Division. The 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) was referred to – but only by its members – as the Babykillers.

LT

That pineapple didn't come out so well a a coloured patch did it?

I remember how we used to refer to the 173rd Airborne as the"Flying Butter Knife"

Best unit motto: the WW2 Field Artillery battalion whose motto was: "Don't Kick my Dog".

"…the 25th Infantry Division."

Whose patch also led to their other nickname, "Hawaii Power & Light".

"the unit acquired the nickname "Bloody Bucket" by German forces during World War II"

I've never believed these claims for unit names that it was the Germans, or various other opponents who named the unit. Like the USMC claim that the Germans called them "Devil Dogs". I'm fairly certain that the unit themselves came up with the name, then claimed it was the enemy who called them that.

Agree.

Amicalement
Armand

"1st Force Recon – Swift Silent Deadly"

tragic that it wasn't Silent but Deadly

VF-143 Pukin Dogs is still the best!

@troopwo: Yes, the 23rd was known as the electric strawberry during the Vietnam War

@troopwo: Yes, the 23rd was known as the electric strawberry during the Vietnam War

No, it wasn't. I was a member of the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) and I can guarantee that it was not known as the Electric Strawberry during the Vietnam War. That was the nickname of the 25th Infantry Division and was based on the division shoulder patch, which was vaguely strawberry-shaped and had a lightning bolt down the middle (the 25th's official nickname is "Tropic Lightning").

LT

I don't believe the Germans gave the 28th Div. it's nickname "Bloody Bucket". I believe that was from the soldiers in the unit after the high losses they had taken.

Also, the 80th FS "Headhunters" was based upon the P-38 squadron fighting in New Guinea in W.W. II. Lt. Welch (Pearl Harbor fame) was one of their top guns.

Yeah, most of these sound a bit strained and contrived. Nothing to match " Pontius Pilate's Bodyguards" or the "Devil's Own"!

Probably shouldn't talk smack about a unit that has seen its fair share of combat but I always crack up whenever somebody talks about the "First Team," It makes me recall the irreverent description of their lineage based on the divisional patch: the horse they never rode, the line they couldn't hold and the color speaks for itself.

"1st Force Recon – Swift Silent Deadly"

tragic that it wasn't Silent but Deadly

That would be the Silent Service. Especially after Mexican night on the mess deck. I swear we had to secure the smoke pits due to the methane buildup!

Meh. I'm with Spontoon. Also an over-reliance on Skullz (tm) in unit badges.

I agree, a lot on the list are very contrived, obviously made up. But the US Army also has some of the most evocative and authentic nicknames anywhere. Two of my particular favourites are 'The Black Horse' and 'The Dragoons'. Not flashy, but deeply rooted in unit history and tradition.

I have fond memories of the 20th Engineer Brigade in Vietnam. The brigade insignia was a red and white equilateral diamond with the Corps of Engineers castle in the center. It and the brigade it signified were known as "The Brick S__thouse".

LT

Oddball: I've heard both stories about the Bloody Bucket. The one with the Germans coming up with the name dates back to WWI.

The 28th were known as 'The Bloody Bucket' here in Wales long before they were engaged in WW2. There's a lot of memorabilia in the Royal British Legion Club in Tenby, which served as an HQ and there are references to 'Bloody Buckets' that pre-dates Normandy. As Scott says; the name dated back to WW1.

Regarding:
I've never believed these claims for unit names that it was the Germans, or various other opponents who named the unit. Like the USMC claim that the Germans called them "Devil Dogs".

Just a little factoid: The USMC wouldn't ever have made such a claim, as no Marines fought in World War II, unless of course they were dubbed during World War I?!?

@Specforc12: The story is that during the battle of Belleau Wood in 1918, the Germans said that the Marines fought like the hounds of hell, teufelhunden (literally devil's dogs).

I see. Thanks "Lion in the Stars"!

How could they leave out my boys in the 82nd Airborne--- the "All American" division?

I guess the units must be currently active to have made the list, but I always liked the "Harlem Hellfighters".

Paul

I always liked the nickname of my old unit…"Real Cav" which is what the troopers would say when they were in saloons being challenged by local drunks. The 9th and 10th Cavalry were all black units

"The story is that during the battle of Belleau Wood in 1918, the Germans said that the Marines fought like the hounds of hell, teufelhunden (literally devil's dogs)"

I'll bet no one can provide a primary, German source for the Marine nickname. And I'll bet no one can provide a primary, German source for the 28th's "Bloody Bucket" nickname.

It always boils down to claims that the Germans used a particular name, but never a German source.

4th Plt, A Co. 1st Armored Assault Bn, USMC:

"The Crime Wave."

no Marines fought in World War II

None at all?

;)

I assumed the poster missed out 'ETO'. The USMC were in the Pacific in some considerable numbers. There were more US Army of course..and some Brits, Indians, Aussies etc etc.

I always find the US obsession with snazzy nicknames for military units rather lame. I guess it's a morale thing. 'Esprit de corps' or some such.

I'm not knocking the practice – if it works why not? Same goes for dishing out medals and awards by the chestful. Seems silly to an outsider but it seems to work for them.

Not the first time you brought something like this up. And it is not an obsession and it is useful for an number of reasons, etc. … As for dishing out awards … that was not my experience in the US ARMY, '79-'91. So in turn your comments seems "silly" to me … From my POV. Just say'n … On another topic, the USMC in WWI, many were the 3d Bde[IIRC ?] of the US ARMY's 2ID. In WWII the USMC had some 6 Divs and a number of separate Bns, Rgts, etc. … All 6 Divs fought in the PTO. But there were smaller elements of the USMC found in the ETO. In many cases aboard ships, etc. The US ARMY had some 68 Divs in the ETO and 24 or so in the PTO. Or there about …

I always find the US obsession with snazzy nicknames for military units rather lame.

This is by no means unique to the US.

Agreed … The Black Watch, The Desert Rats, The Black & Tans, The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, The Queen's Rangers, The Dragoon Guards, The Royal Green Jackets, The HouseHold Cavalry, Princess Patricia's Light Infantry, etc. , etc. … which by the way I think some are kind'a neat … regardless …

The Brits have us Americans beat when it comes to sheer historicity of unit nicknames.

As far as whether nicknames are "silly", there is a definite correlation between historical nicknames and success on the battlefield (although granted, this may be because we are more likely to remember winners' nicknames).

As a long time member of the 3rd ID "Rock of the Marne!"

Some here are just Patriot Yankee Haters and take every chance to talk smack. They just can't get it in their Limey Redcoat, Lobster head. The US won their freedom from their oppressive crazy King !

Who wasn't crazy at the time… just saying…

Well … yeah … there's that … But you're a Redcoat … how can I trust ya ?