The 6th Marines was one of the most storied units in the Marine Corps. It was activated in August 1917 at MCB Quantico during the First World War. Deploying to France in October-November 1917, the Sixth was assigned to the Fourth Marine Brigade, part of the famous 2nd Infantry Division.

One of the elite infantry regiments of the American Expeditionary Force, the 6th Marines fought in many campaigns. It served in the forefront of the American assaults on the Aisne, the Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne. The Sixth participated in the defensive campaigns Toulon-Troyon, Chateau-Thierry, Marbache, and Limey.

In June 1918 during the Aisne-Marne campaign the 6th Marines fought in one of the toughest battles in U. S. history– The Battle of Belleau Wood. During nearly a month's fierce combat, the Sixth fought and defeated some of Imperial Germany's finest units, earning a hard won nickname; Teufelhunden (Devil Dogs.) Since then, Marines of every succeeding generation have worn this name with pride.

During the war in France, the Sixth Marines received numerous citations from the French government. Among these was the Croix de Guerre with two Palms and one Gilt Star. These awards were symbolized by a streamer attached to the regimental colors. Additionally, all hands of the Sixth were authorized to wear the French Fourragere around the left shoulder of winter service and dress blue uniforms. This tradition has continued to the present day.

Belleau Wood by Frank E. Schoonover US Army Art Collection

Following the armistice in November 1918 the Sixth marched into Germany as part of the occupation force. It remained there until returning to the United States in August 1919. During the interwar years the Sixth served on expeditionary duty in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and China. In 1936 the Sixth was assigned to the newly formed 2nd Marine Brigade, FMF, homeported at MCB San Diego.

With the coming of war in 1939 events began to move rapidly. The armed forces initiated a massive build-up. President Roosevelt declared a limited emergency in September 1939, and an unlimted emergency one year later. On 1 February 1941 the 2nd Marine Brigade was redesignated as the 2nd Marine Division. The 6th Marines became the nucleus around which the division was built. Marines from the Regiment were assigned across the new division, which was housed at MCB, Camp Elliott, Calif.

The other regiments in the Second sometimes called members of the Sixth"Pogey Bait Marines." The Regiment acquired this derogatory nickname in the Thirties when, according to legend, its members were enroute to China. When the Regiment sailed aboard the USS Henderson, over two thousand bars of pogey bait (candy bars) were requisitioned, while only two bars of soap were ordered for the ship's stores. The call "Hey, it's the Pogey Bait Marines" was guaranteed to start a fight.

(above) 1/6 passes in review at MCB San Diego prior to departing for Iceland.
The battalion was commanded by LtCol Oliver Smith. National Archives

To meet the threat of a possible German attack on Iceland, the 1st Marine Brigade (Provisional) was formed. The 6th Marines became the core of this unit and was detached from the 2nd Marine Division for service in the Atlantic Theater. The Regiment sailed from San Diego on 31 May 1941. Enduring a long sea voyage, the Sixth finally arrived in Iceland on 7 July 1941.

	(left) Marines of the Sixth Regiment in Iceland–September 1941. The French Fourragere is visible on the left shoulder of 1stLt James Donovan, the officer facing the camera. USMC Historical Collection

The Sixth was garrisoned in battalion and company camps scattered across 300 square miles on the bleak plateaus around Reykjavik. The Marines had to build their own Quonset huts for the coming winter. Reykjavik had only two theaters and one decent hotel. The chow was lousy and there were few Icelandic women who would date Marines.

(above) One of the 1st Marine Brigade's camps in Iceland
during the winter of 1941. USMC Historical Collection

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the Sixth was locked deep in the Icelandic winter. Army units began arriving in Iceland to assume the defensive mission there. After what seemed like a lifetime, the Regiment returned home to Camp Elliot during February and March of 1942. There, it began preparing for the war against Japan.

(The song below was composed by Marines of 2/6 during their deployment to Iceland. They were billeted at Camp Baldurshagi, southeast of Reykjavik. Stulka is the Icelandic word for a woman.)

DEAR OLD BALDURSHAGI (Sung to the tune of Roll Out The Barrel) Dear old Baldurshagi, Oh! what a hell of a dump. Rocks and hills all craggy, Stulkas to slap on the rump. If we ever leave here, Our thoughts will wander once more, Thoughts of building Montezuma, On Iceland's chilly shore.

(Color photo in paragraph 1 is Iron Mike, the World War I Marine Memorial at Parris Island. This photo is from the Library of Congress World War II Archive and was taken in 1944.)

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SIXTH MARINES INDEX

Sources used:

Follow Me! The Story of the Second Marine Division in World War II by Richard W. Johnston
Battle Cry by Leon Uris
Outpost in the North Atlantic by Col James Donovan USMC (ret)