 Along with two other future World War I literary figures, John W. Thomason and Laurence Stallings), March embarked on USS "Von Steuben" at Philadelphia.He reached France in March 1918 and served as a sergeant in Co F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 4th Brigade of Marines, Second Division of the U.S. Army Expeditionary Force.March's company took part in every major engagement in which American troops were involved, incurring heavy casualties.