The 30th of May, 1918, found the Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, stationed at Montagny-en-Vexin, Regimental Field Order No. 2, of that date contemplated a march movement to a new area to begin at 11 :00 a. m., on the 31st. The following order was received at 6:00 p. m. on the 30th:

"Headquarters, Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, A. E. F.,
France, 30 May 1918.

1. Advance information official received that this Regiment will move at 10:00 p. m. 30 May by bus to new area. All trains shall be loaded at once and arrangements hastened. Orders will follow. Wagons when loaded will move to Serans to form train.

Sometime after 10:00 p. m. same date, this regimental memorandum was received:

"The 3rd Battalion will take Camions at Serans at 4:45 a. m. tomorrow, 31 May, for 8 hour trip. Destination Meaux."

At 3:00 a. m. battalion left Montagny for Serans where a hot breakfast was served from the kitchens which had been sent ahead. Camions were boarded at 8:30 a. m. After a day and night in the trucks Montreuil-aux-Lions was reached on the morning of June 1st. After a few hours of rest the battalion started for the front along the Chateau-Thierry-LaFerte road. Outside of Montreuil the Battalion Commander received verbal orders to take up a position in the woods northeast of La Voie du Chatel. This was done and the night spent there. The French in front were falling back.

The next day, June 2nd, the companies were more advantageously placed and an effort made to get in better touch with the situation. Enemy shelling continued and that afternoon the battalion suffered its first casualties on the Chateau Thierry front; two men were killed and twelve men were wounded. At about 5:00 p. m. the following order was received:

Be prepared send fresh Co. to LaCense Farm to report Holcomb as reserve. German fresh Division expected to attack American right with two regiments north of Paris road and one south.

The 97th Company was sent to report to Major Holcomb in accordance with this order.

In accordance with regimental orders the night of June 2nd was spent in the open field east of the woods and north of the Voie-du-Chatel—Luey-le-Bocage road to escape the barrage it was thought the enemy would put down on la Bois-du-Chatel at night-fall. At break of day position was again taken up in la-Bois-du-Chatel, this time along Champillon-la-Voie-du-Chatel road. Heavy shelling during the entire day which resulted in several casualties among battalion scouts and 84th Company. About noon the 82nd Company was sent to re-enforce the front line northeast of Champillon and east of point 142. This company had several casualties, including four men killed, while taking up position.

At dark Battalion Headquarters, 83rd Company and one platoon of the 73rd Machine Gun Company moved up and joined 82nd Company south of Torey, Major Sibley taking command of that portion of the line running from point 142 for about one thousand yards in an easterly direction. The line on this front was in most places along edge, of the woods, at some points the enemy was in the same woods and about fifty yards distant. The enemy artillery and machine guns were active during the afternoon and night. The next morning, June 4th, the Battalion Commander further reconnoitered the situation and found the French had left a portion of the line on our right unoccupied. After a conference with Major Shearer, a portion of the First Battalion of the Fifth Regiment and some machine guns were sent to fill the gap. The enemy artillery, machine guns and snipers were active during the entire day but our casualties were not heavy. The 84th Company which had been left in la-Bois-du-Chatel suffered some casualties from artillery fire. On June 5th conditions continued much the same as on previous day. The day was spent in digging in and strengthening our position. During the early morning hours the enemy launched a mild attack but were repulsed by our fire without serious losses to us. After daylight and during the day enemy was seen from time to time and our snipers reported to have done effective sniping. About nine p. m. on June 5th the following order was received:

Your battalion will be relieved sometime tonight by Turrill's Battalion, when 82nd and 83rd Companies are relieved you will proceed via Champilion via present Regimental Headquarters to Ferme Blanch where your Battalion will go in deserve. Orders will be given the C. 0. 84th Co. and 97th Co. to report to you at Ferule Blanche. The platoon 73rd Co. will remain in place. Guide will be found at Regimental Headquarters, Colonel's office, to conduct you to Ferme Blanche.

Will send in Spalding's rations by Ford with his runner on Ford."

At 3:00 a. m. morning of June 6th the First Battalion of the Fifth launched an attack through a portion of our line, two platoons 83rd Company holding the line until they advanced, this attack brought in fierce machine gun fire from the enemy but the 82nd and 83rd Companies were able to withdraw without serious losses. By daylight on the morning of the 6th the relief was completed. The day up to 3 :00 p. m. was spent at Maison Blanche Ferme on the Chateau Thierry—La Ferte road, the Battalion less 3 platoons, 97th Co. who joined us at about 5:00 p. m. having assembled there. By 3:00 p. m. the battalion was under way in accordance with the following order: