 "DeKalb" was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force, Atlantic Fleet, and on 14 June 1917 sailed in the convoy carrying the first troops of the American Expeditionary Forces to France.Unlike the other transports with Army troops embarked, "DeKalb" transported United States Marine Corps, 5th Regiment of Marines.In the next 18 months "DeKalb" made 11 such voyages, carrying 11,334 soldiers safely.