According to my dad, my grandfather was responsible for taking care of Jiggs.

I just wanted to say that this is one of my favorite pictures, and also that today (November 10th) is the 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. It all began at Tun Tavern, in Philadelphia, in 1775. Today is also the 82nd birthday of my father, who didn't realize that the Corps shared his birthday until he graduated from boot camp, on his 17th birthday.

I'd say the the human Marine is pretty junior. NCOs and officers have a "blood" stripe on the legs of their trousers!

In basic training our DI had us say a vulgar night prayer then just before lights-out the platoon would shout out "Good night Chesty Puller whereever you are!" There was never a mention of Sgt Maj Jiggs.

I did have to stand fire watch from atop a bucket one night.

I believe that marine has both a rifle expert and sharpshooter badge. Very impressive. He is probably adept with the Springfield 1903 rifle.

Imagine my surprise today when pulling the April 2009 issue of Military Officer magazine from the mailbox. On the cover: Lance Cpl. Chesty XIII, USMC (the four-legged one), official mascot of the Marine Barracks. With Chesty is Lance Cpl. Marquis Jones, USMC. One has his claws neatly trimmed; the other has highly shined shoes. They're Marines, don't you know.

It is not Lewis B "Chesty" Puller. In 1925 Chesty Puller was a new 2nd Lieutenant, the Marine pictured is a Private First Class (Crossed Rifles on his sleeve) and the dog does outrank him, the dog is a Sergeant Major (three up & three down), Master Sergeant did not come to the Marine Corps until after WWII

If that's Chesty Puller, no one would ever complain about the shine on his shoes!!

The human Marine doesn't appear to be wearing any insignia of rank. (In 1925 Chesty Puller was a lieutenant.) Sgt. Jiggs, however, was a MASTER Sergeant.

The USMC got the nickname "Devil Dogs" from the Germans in World War I. The term "Devil Dog" in German is a legendary boogeyman from hell in German folklore. When they saw the fierceness with which the Marines fought in France, the Germans gave the USMC this name out of fear and respect. The Corps loved it and adopted the Bulldog as their mascot. The name persists today even though it is not widely known among the general public. There are some excellent history references on this subject at the Marine Museum at the USMC Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina.

Hey, Marine, call 278 and ask for Bennie Sims. Your shoes will absolutely glow.

There is one Marine that needs to do some serious work on his shoes.

But the dog is almost certainly Jiggs.

[Ahem. It wouldn't be "almost certainly" if people would read the caption under the photo first! - Dave]

That actual Marine appears to be Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller, the most legendary Marine of all time.

This is another one of your "thousand word" specials. What a great dog! Serious chops!