1st Battalion, 6th Marines

Unit Lineage

Activated on 11 July 1917 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines is an infantry battalion assigned to the 6th Marine Regiment under the 2nd Marine Division at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Known as "1/6 Hard," a name derived from its Belleau Wood commander Major John Arthur Hughes, "Johnny the Hard." The battalion deployed to France within months of activation and has fought in every major American conflict since. As part of the 6th Marines, every Marine in the battalion is authorized to wear the French Fourragere, one of only two Marine regiments with that distinction.

World War I

1/6 deployed to France between September and October 1917 as part of the 4th Marine Brigade under the Army's 2nd Division. At the Battle of Belleau Wood in June 1918, the battalion attacked into the woods under Major Hughes, fighting through machine gun fire, mustard gas, and hand-to-hand combat that reduced the battalion from roughly 1,000 Marines to around 100 effectives at its lowest point. The 6th Marines was awarded the French Croix de Guerre three times for its actions at Belleau Wood, Soissons, and Blanc Mont. Gunnery Sergeant Fred W. Stockham voluntarily gave his gas mask to a wounded Marine and died from the gas exposure. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

World War II

After deploying to Iceland in 1941 to relieve British forces, 1/6 rejoined the 2nd Marine Division and fought at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. At Tarawa in November 1943, the 6th Marines was committed as the floating reserve after casualties on the first day were so heavy that the entire division reserve had been used up. 1/6 landed across Green Beach and drove the length of Betio Island. At Saipan, the regiment landed under the heaviest fire of any assault in its history. Two of three battalion commanders were wounded in the first minutes ashore. Private First Class Harold G. Epperson earned the Medal of Honor posthumously for diving on a grenade on 25 June 1944.

Global War on Terror

1/6 deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 as the ground combat element of the 22nd MEU, operating in Oruzgan Province. In 2005, the battalion deployed to Fallujah, Iraq. In 2006, 1/6 fought in the Battle of Ramadi. In February 2010, the battalion took part in Operation Moshtarak, the invasion of Marjah in Helmand Province, the first Afghan-led operation of the war. Alpha and Bravo Companies inserted via helicopter with 300 Marines and Afghan soldiers. 1/6 earned a Presidential Unit Citation for the Marjah deployment. In 2011, the battalion deployed again to Helmand, conducting Operation Eastern Storm to clear Sangin and Kajaki Districts.

Gear for 1/6 Hard

This collection is for the Marines who served with 1/6 and the families who carry their legacy. Every t-shirt, hoodie, flag, and accessory honors the battalion's history from Belleau Wood to Marjah. Whether you served with Alpha "Apache," Bravo "Blackfoot," Charlie "Cold Steel," or Weapons "Warrior," this gear is yours. Veteran-owned and made in the USA.

Browse our 1/6 Marines t-shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, tank tops, flags, decals, drinkware, and more below. OIF and OEF veteran designs available. Every order ships free at $75+.