The Sixth Machine Gun Battalion of Marines was organized at the Marine barracks,
Quantico, Va., by order of the Major General Commandant on
August 17, 1917. The battalion was designated the First Machine
Gun Battalion, but on January 20, 1918, after arrival in
France, was renamed the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion. On
December 14, 1917, the battalion sailed from New York on the De Kalb, arriving at
St. Nazaire, France, December 28, 1917. On
January 3, 1918, the battalion arrived at Damblain in the
Bourmont training area and began training with headquarters at Germainvilliers.
Maj. Edward B. Cole was in command of the Sixth Machine Gun Battalion of Marines from the
date of its organization until June 10, 1918, when he received a mortal wound.
On August 4, 1917, in accordance with directions issued by the
President, the Secretary of the Navy directed the Major General Commandant" to organize a
force of Marines, to be known as the Sixth Regiment of Marines, for service with the Army
in France," and the regiment was organized as directed.
On September 23, 1917, the First Battalion of the Sixth
Regiment sailed on the Henderson from New York and landed at St. Nazaire, France.
on October 5, 1917. On October 17, 1917,
the Seventy-third Machine Gun Company, Headquarters, and Supply Companies,
and Col. Albertus W. Catlin, commanding officer of the Sixth Regiment, with his Staff,
sailed from Philadelphia, Pa., on the De Kalb, and from New York on
October 18, 1917, arriving at St. Nazaire, France, on
November 1, 1917. On October 31 1917,
the Third Battalion of the Sixth Regiment sailed from New York on board the Von Steuben and
anchored at Brest, France, on November 12, 1917.
On January 24, 1918, the Second Battalion of the
Sixth Regiment sailed on the Henderson from New York and arrived at St. Nazaire, France,
February 6, 1918, and with the arrival of this
last battalion, the entire Sixth Regiment of Marines was in France.
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