The 1st Battalion, 6th Marines (1/6) is an

infantry Infantry is a military specialization which engages in ground combat on foot. Infantry generally consists of light infantry, mountain infantry, motorized infantry & mechanized infantry, airborne infantry, air assault infantry, and mar ...

battalion in the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through c ...

based in

Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune () is a United States military training facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Its of beaches make the base a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports ( Wilming ...

North Carolina North Carolina () is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 28th largest and List of states and territories of the United ...

. It consists of approximately 1,100 marines and sailors. They fall under the command of the

6th Marine Regiment The 6th Marine Regiment (also referred to as "6th Marines") is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The regiment falls under the command of the 2nd Marine Division of the ...

, the

2nd Marine Division The 2nd Marine Division (2nd MARDIV) is a division of the United States Marine Corps, which forms the ground combat element of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF). The division is based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Caroli ...

of the

II Marine Expeditionary Force The II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF) is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force consisting of ground, air and logistics forces capable of projecting offensive combat power ashore while sustaining itself in combat without external assistance for a ...

(II MEF).

Subordinate units

* Headquarters and Services Company – "Hawkeye" * Alpha Company – "Apache" * Bravo Company – "Black Foot" * Charlie Company – "Cold Steel" * Weapons Company – "Warrior"

History

World War I (1917–1919)

Activated on 11 July 1917 at

Marine Corps Base Quantico Marine Corps Base Quantico (commonly abbreviated MCB Quantico) is a United States Marine Corps installation located near Triangle, Virginia, covering nearly of southern Prince William County, Virginia, northern Stafford County, and southeas ...

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...

, as the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. 1/6 deployed to France from September to October 1917 and was assigned to the 4th Brigade, 2nd Division (Army),

American Expeditionary Force The American Expeditionary Forces (A. E. F.) was a formation of the United States Army on the Western Front of World War I. The A. E. F. was established on July 5, 1917, in France under the command of General John J. Pershing. It fought along ...

. For the actions at Belleau Wood, Soissons, and Blanc Mont, the 6th Marine Regiment was awarded the French Croix de Guerre three times. As a result, the regiment is authorized to wear the fourragère of the Croix de Guerre (seen in the unit's logo), one of only two units in the Marine Corps so honored, (the other being the 5th Marine Regiment). The fourragère thereafter became part of the uniform of the unit. All members of the modern 6th Marines are authorized to wear the fourragère while serving with the regiment. (World War One Victory Medal, Army Occupation of Germany Medal, French Croix de guerre) Scott Belleau Wood

The battalion participated in the following World War I campaigns: *Aisne *Aisne-Marne *St. Mihiel *Meuse-Argonne Along with the following defensive campaigns: *Touln-Troyon *Chateau-Thierry *Marabache *Limey 1/6 participated in the Occupation of the

Rhineland The Rhineland (german: Rheinland; french: Rhénanie; nl, Rijnland; ksh, Rhingland; Latinised name: ''Rhenania'') is a loosely defined area of Western Germany along the Rhine, chiefly its middle section. Term Historically, the Rhinelands ...

from December 1918 to July 1919. After the war the battalion relocated to Quantico, Virginia in August 1919 and was deactivated on 20 August 1919.

1922 – 1934

The battalion was reactivated on 12 June 1922 and participated in maneuvers at

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Gettysburg (; non-locally ) is a borough and the county seat of Adams County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The Battle of Gettysburg (1863) and President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address are named for this town. Gettysburg is home to ...

. From June–July 1922, it was assigned to the Marine Corps Expeditionary Force. In June 1924 1/6 deployed to the Dominican Republic and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba participating in expeditionary operations until September 1925. The unit returned to

Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk ( ) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Incorporated in 1705, it had a population of 238,005 at the 2020 census, making it the third-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia B ...

, and was deactivated on 1 October 1925. (Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal) On 29 March 1927, 1/6 was reactivated in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...

, in May 1927, 1/6 deployed to Shanghai, China and was assigned to 3rd Brigade. The battalion was again deactivated in March 1929 in

San Diego, California San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United Stat ...

Yangtze River Valley (1934–1938)

On 9 September 1934, at Norfolk, Virginia, 1/6 relocated to San Diego during September and October 1934 and then deployed to

Shanghai Shanghai (; , , Standard Chinese, Standard Mandarin pronunciation: ) is one of the four Direct-administered municipalities of China, direct-administered municipalities of the China, People's Republic of China (PRC). The city is located on the ...

in China in August 1937 where it was assigned to the 2nd Marine Brigade, Fleet Marine Force. The battalion returned to San Diego during February to April 1938. (Yangtze Service Medal, China Service Medal)

World War II (1939–1946)

On 1 February 1941, the 2nd Marine Brigade was re-designated as the

Fleet Marine Force The United States Fleet Marine Forces (FMF) are combined general- and special-purpose forces within the United States Department of the Navy that perform offensive amphibious or expeditionary warfare and defensive maritime employment. The Flee ...

(FMF). In anticipation of joining the war 1/6 deployed during May to July 1941 to

Reykjavík Reykjavík ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Iceland. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói bay. Its latitude is 64°08' N, making it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. With a po ...

, Iceland and was reassigned to the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. 1/6 relocated during March 1942 to San Diego and were reassigned to the 2nd Marine Division, FMF. From October to November 1942 it deployed to

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by ...

in New Zealand. During the course of World War II the battalion fought at

Guadalcanal Guadalcanal (; indigenous name: ''Isatabu'') is the principal island in Guadalcanal Province of Solomon Islands, located in the south-western Pacific, northeast of Australia. It is the largest island in the Solomon Islands by area, and the se ...

Tarawa Tarawa is an atoll and the capital of the Republic of Kiribati,Kiribati
''

Saipan Saipan ( ch, Sa’ipan, cal, Seipél, formerly in es, Saipán, and in ja, 彩帆島, Saipan-tō) is the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands, a Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), commonwealth of the United States in the western Pa ...

Tinian Tinian ( or ; old Japanese name: 天仁安島, ''Tenian-shima'') is one of the three principal islands of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Together with uninhabited neighboring Aguiguan, it forms Tinian Municipality, one of the ...

and

Okinawa is a Prefectures of Japan, prefecture of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is the southernmost and westernmost prefecture of Japan, has a population of 1,457,162 (as of 2 February 2020) and a geographic area of 2,281 Square kilometre, km2 (880 sq mi). ...

. The 6th Marines landed at Guadalcanal on 4 January 1943 where it was briefly reunited with the 2nd and 8th Marines. The 6th Marines, fighting as part of a temporary Army-Marine division after the bulk of the 2nd Marine Division departed, participated in the final American offensive on

advancing from

Kokumbona Kokumbona (also Kakambona) is a village on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. It was a Japanese base during World War II and the site of a United States Marine Corps amphibious landing on 19 August 1942. Located on Guadalcanal's n ...

to Cape Esperance and eliminating the last remaining enemy forces. The 6th Marines suffered 223 casualties (53 killed in action or died of wounds, 170 wounded in action), during its six weeks on the "Canal".

During the Battle of Tarawa, the 6th Marines was the

V Amphibious Corps The V Amphibious Corps (VAC) was a formation of the United States Marine Corps which was composed of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions in World War II. The three divisions were the amphibious landing force for the United States Fifth Fleet ...

' floating reserve. The assault waves stormed ashore on 20 November 1943 but ran into stiff opposition. Casualties were so heavy that the entire division reserve was committed on the first day. The 6th Marines was ordered ashore the following morning. The 1st and 3rd Battalions landed across Betio's Green Beach and were ordered to drive the length of the island, the 2nd Battalion was used as a blocking force on nearby Bairiki Island. Betio was declared secure after 76 bloody hours. The 1st and 3rd Battalions were re-located to a new rest camp in

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...

, but the 2nd Battalion stayed on to clear the rest of the atoll. The 6th Marines suffered 355 casualties (99 dead, 256 wounded) and received a Presidential Unit Citation for its actions on Tarawa. The regiment next participated in the Battle of

and the

operation. The regiment landed under heavy fire at Saipan's Red Beach on 15 June. This was the most difficult assault landing in regimental history; two of the three battalion commanders were seriously wounded in the first minutes ashore. Early the next morning, the 6th Marines repulsed several tank-supported counterattacks that saved the beachhead. Machine gunner PFC Harold G. Epperson sacrificed his own life by diving on a grenade on 25 June and received a posthumous

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of val ...

for that action. The regiment then drove north up the west side of the island through the coastal town of

Garapan Garapan ( Old Japanese name: 柄帆町, ''Garapan-chō'') is the largest village and the center of the tourism industry on the island of Saipan, which is a part of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Garapan, as ...

and on toward

Tanapag Tanapag is a settlement on the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. It is located close to Tanapag Beach on the northwest coast, just to the north of Capital Hill, the island group's center of government. It lies on the Marpi Road (H ...

, where the Marines faced the largest Japanese "Banzai" attack of the war. The next battle for the regiment was at Tinian on 25 July and joined the rest of the 2nd Marine Division as it elbowed its way down the island until reaching the escarpment that marked Tinian's southern tip on 1 August. It took three days of tough fighting to reduce the final enemy stronghold. During that fighting, PFC Robert L. Wilson covered a live grenade with his body to protect his comrades and earned a posthumous Medal of Honor. The regiment lost 34 killed and 165 wounded in ten days on Tinian. In September 1945, the unit deployed to

Nagasaki is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It became the sole port used for trade with the Portuguese and Dutch during the 16th through 19th centuries. The Hidden Christian Sites in the ...

where it participated in the Occupation of Japan from September 1945 to June 1946. (Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Medal)

Cold War (1946–1990)

In July 1946, 1/6 relocated to Camp Pendleton, California and was reassigned to the 3rd Marine Brigade, FMF. In July 1947, it was reassigned to the

1st Marine Division The 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) is a Marine division of the United States Marine Corps headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. It is the ground combat element of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF). It is th ...

and deactivated on 1 October 1947. On 7 October 1949 1/6 was reactivated at the Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune,

and was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division. Unit personnel subsequently deployed at various times as the Battalion Landing Team 1/6 in

, the

Mediterranean The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the Mediterranean Basin and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Western and Southern Europe and Anatolia, on the south by North Africa, and on ...

and the

Caribbean The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean ...

. In 1958, 1/6 participated in Operation Blue Bat during the 1958 Lebanon Crisis.(Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal) In 1962, 1/6 participated in the

Cuban Missile Crisis The Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the October Crisis (of 1962) ( es, Crisis de Octubre) in Cuba, the Caribbean Crisis () in Russia, or the Missile Scare, was a 35-day (16 October – 20 November 1962) confrontation between the United S ...

in October and November 1962 (Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal) In 1965, 1/6 participated in the Intervention in the Dominican Republic from April to June 1965 in support of

Operation Powerpack The Dominican Civil War (), also known as the April Revolution (), took place between April 24, 1965, and September 3, 1965, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It started when civilian and military supporters of the overthrown democraticall ...

. (Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal) On 21 April 1967, a military coup overthrew the elected government of Greece. Navy units were immediately alerted and directed to the Ionian Sea. Two Battalion Landing Teams (BLT 3/8, and BLT 1/6) were in the Mediterranean at the time, because of a turn-over; both were active in the operation, which involved a show of force and a contingency (stand-by) evacuation response. The Six-Day Arab-Israeli War of June 1967 caused the Marine Amphibious Ready Group (BLT 1/6) to be put on alert for possible operations. On 6 June, two carrier task forces moved closer to the fighting, while four days later, President Johnson ordered a high-speed carrier movement toward Syria to facilitate a cease-fire agreement. On 1 September 1969, a coup overthrew the Libyan monarchy. At the same time, conditions were very unsettled in Lebanon, leading to the 22 October resignation of the Lebanese Prime Minister. Contingency forces in the period 26–30 October included two carrier task forces and the Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group (MARG) with BLT 1/6 embarked. In 1983, 1/6 participated as part of the Multinational Peace Keeping Force in Lebanon from February to June 1983 (Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal) From January to July 1989 elements of Charlie Company 1/6 deployed to

Panama Panama ( , ; es, link=no, Panamá ), officially the Republic of Panama ( es, República de Panamá), is a transcontinental country spanning the southern part of North America and the northern part of South America. It is bordered by Co ...

with 6th Marine Regiment in support of

Operation Just Cause Operation or Operations may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity * Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory * ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Ma ...

. (Navy Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal) (National Defense Service Medals awarded for active duty service during Korean War 27 June 1950 to 27 July 1954 and war Vietnam War 1 January 1961 to 14 August 1974, Navy Unit Commendation awarded 1986–1987, Sea Service Deployment Ribbons Awarded for deployments for a period of either 90 consecutive days or two periods of at least 80 days each within a given 12-month period; or 6 months stationed overseas in a forward deployed location, 15 August 1974– Present)

Persian Gulf War (1990–1991)

The battalion participated in

Operation Desert Shield The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a Coalition of the Gulf War, 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Ba'athist Iraq, ...

and

Operation Desert Storm Operation or Operations may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * ''Operation'' (game), a battery-operated board game that challenges dexterity * Operation (music), a term used in musical set theory * ''Operations'' (magazine), Multi-Ma ...

in 1991. The battalion was already deployed to Okinawa since July 1990, then on to Saudi Arabia via amphibious ships with the 4th MEB. After extensive training and attaching to the 2nd Marine Division upon their arrival in December, they were ready to fight. The battalion provided valuable information to the Division since they had been in country since September and was pleased to rejoin their higher command, the 6th Marine Regt. The 6th Marines was commanded by Col Lawrence H. "Rhino 6" Livingston, a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran, winning the Navy Cross, Silver Star, four Bronze stars and five purple hearts respectively. Lt Col Thomas S. Jones, who command 1/6 was a decorated combat veteran of Vietnam himself and had served an exchange tour with the 42 Commando British Royal Marines, was well suited for the task at hand. He was well respected throughout the battalion and the Regiment as well. At 0600 on 24, 1/6 February quickly closed on the first of the obstacle belts which consisted of two minefield and wire obstacles. The Combat Engineer Battalion opened the lanes using the mine clearing line charges and then mine plows as best as they could. Various types of mines were encountered, but were expected. Plastic antipersonnel and antitank mines would slide back into the lanes as the AAVs with infantry Marines inside and the CAAT teams advanced to the objective. Under indirect and direct fire from the enemy, the battalion fought through two mine fields and also had to quickly go to MOPP level 4, responding to the alarm of chemical agent of "mustard gas" detected by the "Fox" chemical reconnaissance vehicle. After the first day of fighting, hundreds of Iraqis on the front line surrendered, many of them had to be "convinced" to give up the fight or die. Along with the Army's Tiger Brigade (Tanks), 1st Battalion, 6th Marines destroyed many enemy tanks, armored personnel carriers, bunkers, and enemy ground troops who did not understand the fact that, Marines take the fight to the enemy, hard and heavy. (Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asian Service, Kuwait Liberation Medal Kuwait, Kuwait Liberation Medal Saudi Arabia)

Operation Sea Signal (1994)

From July 1994 to October 1994 under Joint Task Force 160, 1/6 participated in

Operation Sea Signal Operation Sea Signal was a United States Department of Defense operation in the Caribbean in response to an influx of Cuban and Haitian migrants attempting to gain asylum in the United States. As a result, the migrants became refugees at Guantana ...

a United States Military humanitarian operation in the Caribbean in response to an influx of Cuban and Haitian migrants attempting to gain asylum in the United States. (Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Humanitarian Service Medal)

Operation Pacific Haven (1996-1997)

While on a six-month deployment to Okinawa, Japan elements of 1st Battalion 6th Marines were called upon to support Joint Task Force (JTF) Pacific Haven on the island of Guam. Operation Pacific Haven was activated in September 1996 to provide humanitarian assistance to over 2,500 Kurds evacuated from Northern Iraq seeking asylum and eventual entry into the U.S. From December 1996 to March 1997 Bravo Company 1/6 was assigned to the Tiyan housing area in Guam to provide security and support the overflow of Kurdish evacuees. (Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Humanitarian Service Medal)

Kosovo Campaign (1999)

1st Battalion 6th Marines participated in Operation Noble Anvil in Kosovo from January to April 1999. Also known as the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia or Operation Allied Force, the bombing killed around 1,000 members of the Yugoslav security forces in addition to 489 and 528 civilians. It destroyed bridges, industrial plants, public buildings, private businesses, as well as barracks and military installations. Throughout the air campaign, 1/6 attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was poised in the Aegean and Adriatic Seas to conduct Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) missions in support of combat operations had U.S. or NATO aircrews required assistance. While in the Aegean, 1/6 participated in humanitarian assistance efforts in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to assist Kosovar refugees with food, water, shelter and medical aid. In the days after the Yugoslav army withdrew, over 164,000 Serbs and 24,000 Roma left Kosovo and many of the remaining non-Albanian civilians (as well as Albanians perceived as collaborators) were victims of abuse which included beatings, abductions, and murders. (Navy Unit Commendation, Kosovo Campaign Medal, NATO Medal Kosovo)

Global War on Terrorism (2001–Present)

US Marines in Operation Enduring Freedom

(National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service awarded for active service during Global War on Terrorism from 11 September 2001 to Present) In 2004, 1st Battalion 6th Marines deployed as the ground combat element of the

22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) is one of seven such units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. It is a Marine Air Ground Task Force with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. They are currently based out of M ...

Oruzgan Province Uruzgan (Dari), also spelled as Urozgan or Oruzgan, is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. Uruzgan is located in the center of the country. The population is 436,079, and the province is mostly a tribal society. Tarinkot serves as th ...

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is borde ...

in support of

Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) was the official name used synonymously by the U.S. government for both the War in Afghanistan (2001–2014) and the larger-scale Global War on Terrorism. On 7 October 2001, in response to the September 11 a ...

. (Navy Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal ISAF) In 2005, 1/6 deployed to

Fallujah Fallujah ( ar, ٱلْفَلُّوجَة, al-Fallūjah, Iraqi pronunciation: ) is a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, located roughly west of Baghdad on the Euphrates. Fallujah dates from Babylonian times and was host to important Je ...

Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...

in support of

Operation Iraqi Freedom {{Infobox military conflict , conflict = Iraq War {{Nobold, {{lang, ar, حرب العراق (Arabic) {{Nobold, {{lang, ku, شەڕی عێراق (Kurdish languages, Kurdish) , partof = the Iraq conflict (2003–present), I ...

. (Iraq Campaign Medal) In 2006–2007 1/6 deployed to

Ar Ramadi Ramadi ( ar, ٱلرَّمَادِي ''Ar-Ramādī''; also formerly rendered as ''Rumadiyah'' or ''Rumadiya'') is a city in central Iraq, about west of Baghdad and west of Fallujah. It is the capital and largest city of Al Anbar Governorate wh ...

, Iraq, where they participated in the Battle of Ramadi. (Navy Unit Commendation, Iraq Campaign Medal) 1st Battalion 6th Marines - Iraq - June 2005 - DM-SD-06-03268

1st Battalion 6th Marines - Iraq - June 2005 - DM-SD-06-03268

In 2007, 1/6 became Battalion Landing Team 1/6, attached to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and provided reserve support in 5th and 6th Fleet for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. (Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal) In 2008, 1/6 deployed to

Helmand Province Helmand (Pashto/Dari: ; ), also known as Hillmand, in ancient times, as Hermand and Hethumand, is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan, in the south of the country. It is the largest province by area, covering area. The province contains 13 ...

in Afghanistan between February and September in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During its tasking, the battalion reinforced British and Afghan forces in the

Helmand Province campaign The Helmand province campaign was a series of military operations conducted by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces against Taliban insurgents and other local groups in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Their objective ...

. Most combat operations took place in the Taliban-held town of

Garmsir Garmsir ( ps, ګرمسير; from Persian گرمسیر, meaning "hot place") is the center of Garmsir District in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. It is situated on the eastern bank of the Helmand River on at 714 m altitude and 63 km southwest ...

. (Meritorious Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal ISAF) Marines in Garmsir

In December 2009 1/6 deployed again to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was part of the 20,000-troop increase approved just a week before by President Barack Obama, originally ordered by George W. Bush. On 13 February 2010, 1/6 took part in the invasion of

Marjah Marjah (also spelled Marjeh; Pashto/ fa, ) is an agricultural town in southern Afghanistan. It has been reported to have a population between 80,000 and 125,000, but some sources argue that its population is much smaller and is spread across 80 t ...

in Helmand Province, known as

Operation Moshtarak Operation Moshtarak (Dari for ''Together'' or ''Joint''), also known as the Battle of Marjah, was an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) pacification offensive in the town of Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan. It involved a com ...

, and was the first Afghan-led operation of the war. The invasion began with members of Alpha and Bravo companies inserting via CH-53 Super Stallion helicopters with approximately 300 Marines and Afghan soldiers and Charlie company using mobile forces to clear and hold a major portion of the city. By 14 June 2010, 1/6's advanced party had returned to the US and by late July the entire battalion was back from the deployment. (Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal ISAF) 6th Marine Rgt

In 2011, 1/6 again deployed to Helmand Province and engaged in Operation Eastern Storm, in an effort to clear Sangin and Kajaki Districts of Taliban insurgents, while Charlie Company supported 3rd Battalion 6th Marines in the Marjah district of Afghanistan. (Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal ISAF) In 2014 1/6 deployed as the ground element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit as the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) located in the 5th and 6th Fleet in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and the evacuation of the US embassy in Tripoli by 3rd Battalion 8th Marines( Operation Oaken Lotus). After the evacuation of the US embassy in Tripoli the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit’s deployment was extended to support ongoing operations in Iraq, and Syria. Detachments of Marines were sent to Iraq to reinforce the US embassy in Baghdad, and support special operations forces in Kurdistan.(Navy Unit Commendation, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal) In 2015, 1/6 participated in

BALTOPS BALTOPS (Baltic Operations) is an annual military exercise, held and sponsored by the Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe, since 1971, in the Baltic Sea and the regions surrounding it. The purpose of BALTOPS is to train gunnery, replenis ...

(Baltic Operations), an annual exercise with allied NATO forces in Poland, Sweden, Germany, and the Baltic States.

Operation Odyssey Lightning The Battle of Sirte started in the spring of 2016, in the Sirte District in Libya, between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the loyalist forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) backed by the United States. ISIL f ...

: In 2016, 1st Battalion 6th Marines deployed as the ground combat element of the

. Aboard the

USS Wasp USS ''Wasp'' may refer to the following ships of the Continental and United States navies: * was a merchant schooner purchased by the Continental Navy in late 1775 and destroyed in 1777 * was a sloop constructed in 1806 and captured during the Wa ...

USS San Antonio USS ''San Antonio'' (LPD-17), the lead ship of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, her class of amphibious transport dock or landing platform dock, is the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the city of San Antonio, Tex ...

, and USS Whidbey Island, Marines conducted precision air strikes in support of the Libyan Government of National Accord-aligned forces against ISIS and Daesh targets in

Sirte Sirte (; ar, سِرْت, ), also spelled Sirt, Surt, Sert or Syrte, is a city in Libya. It is located south of the Gulf of Sirte, between Tripoli and Benghazi. It is famously known for its battles, ethnic groups, and loyalty to Muammar ...

, Libya, as part of the

Battle of Sirte (2016) The Battle of Sirte started in the spring of 2016, in the Sirte District in Libya, between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the loyalist forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) backed by the United States. ISIL forc ...

. Before joining the operation in Libya, elements of 1/6 aboard the USS San Antonio came under attack as it moved through the

Bab al-Mandeb The Bab-el-Mandeb (Arabic: , , ) is a strait between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Name The strait derives its name from the dangers attendi ...

strait on the southern end of the

Red Sea The Red Sea ( ar, البحر الأحمر - بحر القلزم, translit=Modern: al-Baḥr al-ʾAḥmar, Medieval: Baḥr al-Qulzum; or ; Coptic: ⲫⲓⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ϩⲁϩ ''Phiom Enhah'' or ⲫⲓⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ϣⲁⲣⲓ ''Phiom ǹšari''; ...

while conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Horn of Africa, Operation Restoring Hope, and Operation Oaken Steel. Shortly after the attacks, the

USS Nitze USS ''Nitze'' (DDG-94) is an . She is named for Paul Nitze, who served as Secretary of the Navy under president Lyndon B. Johnson and as chief arms control adviser in the administration of president Ronald Reagan. Service history The contrac ...

destroyed three radar sites in Yemen in retaliation for the two separate attacks on U.S. ships in the Red Sea. This was credited as the first surface naval battle since the Persian Gulf War. Members of the 22nd MEU received the Presidential Unit Citation and Combat Action Ribbons for operations in Libya and Yemen. (Meritorious Unit Commendation, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal)

Operation Inherent Resolve Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) is the U.S. military's operational name for the International military intervention against IS, including both a campaign in Iraq and a campaign in Syria, with a closely-related campaign in Libya. Throu ...

: In September 2017 elements of 1st Battalion 6th Marines deployed to Syria with 1st Battalion 10th Marines as a part of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve in order to support operations against ISIS militants in the Battle of Raqqa. (Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal) In 2018, 1/6 deployed as part of the Black Sea Rotational Force (18.1) postured in Mihail Kogălniceanu Airbase,

Romania Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...

, which enabled the continuation of promoting regional stability, and building and maintaining enduring partnerships with allied and partner nations. 1/6 also sent Marines to Norway to train with allied NATO forces for a potential cold-weather fight with North Korea or Russia. Upon completion of their training the Marines of 1/6 had their deployment extended due to Hurricane Florence preventing them from returning to Camp Lejeune on schedule. (Navy Arctic Service Ribbon) In 2020, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment deployed under the Unit Deployment Program to Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan under 3rd Marine Division. In 2021, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment participated in Exercise Sea Breeze 2021 a multinational maritime exercise, involving sea, land, and air components, and is co-hosted by the United States and Ukraine to enhance interoperability and capability among participating forces in the Black Sea region. On August 18, 2021; Bravo Company and other elements from the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment deployed aboard the USS Arlington (LPD 24) in U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations off the coast of Haiti in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti, following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on August 14. They returned on September 6. (Humanitarian Service Medal)

Honors and awards

The 1st Battalion 6th Marines has been awarded the following: * United States Navy Presidential Unit Citation ribbon

Presidential Unit Citation Streamer with Bronze star ** World War II Tarawa – 1943 **Afghanistan 2009–2010 *

Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame)

Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award (JMUA) is a US military award that was established on June 4, 1981, by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982. The Joint Meritor ...

**Operation Sea Signal **Operation Pacific Haven **Operation Inherent Resolve 2017 * Navy Unit Commendation ribbon

Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with Silver Star and Bronze Star ** Panama – 1989 **Southwest Asia – 1990–1991 **Kosovo – 1999 **Afghanistan – 2004, 2010 **Iraq – 2006 – 2007 **BLT 1/6 2014 **OIR 1/6 C - 2017 *

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer with Bronze Star **1986–1987 **Afghanistan 2008 **BLT 1/6 2016 * World War I Victory Medal ribbon

World War I Victory Streamer with five

Bronze Stars The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a Combat, combat zo ...

Army of Occupation of Germany streamer * Yangtze Service Medal ribbon

Yangtze Service Streamer * China Service Medal ribbon

China Service Streamer * Marine Corps Expeditionary ribbon

Marine Corps Expeditionary Streamer with two

American Defense Service Streamer with one Bronze Star * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon

European – African – Middle Eastern Campaign Streamer * Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon

Asiatic – Pacific Campaign Streamer with one Silver And One Bronze Star * World War II Victory Medal ribbon

World War II Victory Streamer * Army of Occupation ribbon

Navy Occupation Service Streamer With "Asia" And "Europe" * National Defense Service Medal ribbon

National Defense Service Streamer with three Bronze Stars * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer With one Bronze star * Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016)

South West Asia Service Streamer with two Bronze Stars * Kosovo Campaign Medal ribbon

Kosovo Campaign Streamer Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Europ ...

with on Bronze Star *

Global War on Terrorism Service Streamer * Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon

Afghanistan Campaign Streamer with three Bronze Stars * Iraq Campaign ribbon

Iraq Campaign Streamer with three Bronze Stars *

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Streamer * Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal ribbon

Inherent Resolve Campaign Streamer * Ruban de la Croix de guerre 1914-1918

French Croix de guerre The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first aw ...

With Two Palms And One Gilt star, allowing the members to wear a Croix de guerre

Fourragère The ''fourragère'' () is a military award, distinguishing military units as a whole, in the form of a braided cord. The award was first adopted by France, followed by other nations such as the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Luxembourg. Fou ...

Notes

References

: ;Bibliography * ;Web
1/6's official website
{{2ndMarDiv Infantry battalions of the United States Marine Corps