The Sixth Marines were first organized at Quantico, Virginia, on July 11, 1917. In June 1918, the Sixth Marines, together with the 5th Marine Regiment and Sixth Machine Gun Battalion launched the infamous attack against German forces entrenched at the Battle of Belleau Wood. In recognition of the "Brilliant courage, vigor, spirit, and tenacity of the Marines," the French Government awarded the citation of the Croix de Guerre with Palms.
Later, for the heroic action in Soisson and Champagne Sectors, the Marines were twice cited for their valor in battle. As a result of these actions, the Sixth Marines Regiment was awarded the Fourragere. With the signing of the armistice ending World War I in November, 1918, the Sixth Marines continued to serve as part of the Occupational Forces in Germany.
During the 1920's the Sixth Marines served on expeditionary duties in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and China.
When the U.S. entered World War II in December 1941, the regiment was deployed to Iceland. On January 4, 1943, it landed on Guadalcanal. In November, 1943, the Regiment received the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the invasion of Tarawa. Later, in June 1944, the regiment landed in the Battle of Saipan and subsequently participated in heavy fighting on Tinian and Okinawa.
Post-war years
The Regiment returned to the United States and joined the Second Marine Division in 1949. Since that time, it has frequently deployed units to the Mediterranean and Caribbean areas. When trouble broke out in Lebanon in July 1958, the Third Battalion, and Sixth Marines landed within fifteen hours after receipt of orders. Early in the Cuban Missile Crisis, the 2nd Battalion landed at Guantanamo Bay to supplement the defense of the naval base. In 1965, the Regiment landed to protect American lives and property in the Dominican Republic during Operation Powerpack]].
In 1983, 2nd Battalion 6th Marines participated in the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. December 1989 saw elements of the Sixth Marines in Panama for Operation Just Cause. From December 1990 to April 1991 the regiment was deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm where it conducted the breach of Iraqi lines and captured thousands of prisoners.
