In addition to this role, the battalion was sometimes employed as a complete unit with all its companies being concentrated together to ensure that maximum firepower was applied to various points along the front line in support of Allied attacks and also to defend against German assaults.

[2] Between 27 August 1917 and 7 December 1917, the battalion undertook extensive training at Quantico which included weapon familiarization, pillbox construction, fire discipline and trench warfare doctrine.

Over the course of the nine months that remained in the war, it would take part in all of the major battles that US forces were involved in along the Western Front.

During this time they were employed as a complete unit in order to provide concentrated fire support at key points along the Allied line.

[1] The aggressiveness of the men of the 4th Marine Brigade during both the offensive and defensive phases of the Battle of Belleau Wood resulted in them being held in high esteem by the Germans serving in the trenches opposite them.

In addition, the legend of the United States Marine Corps getting their nickname "Devil Dogs" came about as a result of this battle.

[11] In mid-July the companies of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion were ordered into reserve in preparation to support the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and the offensive they would be conducting.

Their dispositions during this time were as follows:[12] This operation consisted mainly of a series of marches from Carrefour de la Croix to Camp Bois-l'Évêque.

The time spent at the camp was used to prepare ammunition and supply dumps, conduct a reconnaissance of the area, and set up firing positions for the upcoming offensive around Saint-Mihiel.

After successfully making this advance, the 6th Machine Gun Battalion's companies laid down a heavy suppressing fire as both the 4th Marine Brigade and French 4th Army stormed Blanc Mont ridge.

[1] The 6th Machine Gun Battalion's final battle came in early November when it took part in the fighting along the Meuse River.

After marching through Belgium and Luxembourg, the brigade reached the German frontier on 25 November 1918 and subsequently crossed over into Germany on 1 December 1918.

On 10 December 1918, the 4th Marine Brigade headquartered at Heddesdorf where they were assigned the task of controlling the area around Coblenz.

The 6th Machine Gun Battalion embarked aboard the Santa Paula and arrived in New York on 5 August 1919.