Pvt Slider is listed as being a member of
23rd Company, 6th Machine Gun Battalion in March, 1918. He was killed
on 18 June 1918 while serving on the front line at Belleau Wood.
The
unit designation on his gravestone indicates that Pvt Slider came over
to France in July of 1917, when 23rd Company was part of the 5th
Marine Regiment, 1st Division, AEF. Both 15th & 23rd Companies were
detached from the 5th Marines in early 1918 and made a part of the 6th
Machine Gun Battalion soon after the battalion arrived in France. At that time,
January 1918, the 6th Machine Gun Battalion, together with the 5th & 6th
Marine Regiments, joined the 3rd Army Brigade & supporting units to form
the 2nd Division (Regular) A.E.F.
The 2nd Division emblem, an Indian-head
within a star, is prominantly displayed on Slider's gravestone, though
it is so darkened with age that only the outline is visible.
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