About this Unit
The 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (1/9 INF), known as "The Manchus," is a storied unit of the United States Army with origins dating back to 1855. Throughout its history, 1/9 INF has served in major conflicts, including the Indian Wars, the Philippine-American War, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, where it earned a fierce reputation for its combat effectiveness. During the Vietnam War, the battalion was famously nicknamed “The Walking Dead” due to its exceptionally high casualty rate and relentless operational tempo. Today, 1/9 INF continues to uphold its proud legacy as part of the modern U.S. Army, adapting to new challenges and missions worldwide.
Historical Facts
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Nickname – "Manchu": The 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment is famously known as the "Manchu Battalion," a nickname earned during the Boxer Rebellion in China (1900), where soldiers marched 85 miles to Beijing. "Keep Up the Fire!" is their enduring motto.
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Origins: The 9th Infantry Regiment was originally constituted in March 1855 and has seen continuous service ever since, including through the Civil War, Indian Wars, and beyond.
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Boxer Rebellion Heroism: During the China Relief Expedition, the 9th Infantry suffered heavy casualties while fighting to relieve besieged foreign legations in Beijing—actions for which several soldiers received the Medal of Honor.
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Philippine-American War: The regiment played a key role in suppressing insurgencies and maintaining order during the Philippine-American War at the turn of the 20th century.
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Korean War – Bloody Ridge: The 1/9th Infantry distinguished itself at battles like Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge in Korea, often engaging in fierce, close-quarters combat against determined North Korean and Chinese forces.
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Vietnam War – "The Walking Dead": While the nickname "The Walking Dead" is often associated with the 1/9 Marines, the 1/9th Infantry also faced notorious combat in Vietnam, participating in major operations like Cedar Falls and Junction City in the Iron Triangle and along the Cambodian border.
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Mechanized Evolution: In the later 20th century, 1/9 Infantry transitioned into a mechanized infantry unit, equipped with armored personnel carriers and later Bradley Fighting Vehicles, reflecting Army modernization.
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Persian Gulf War: Elements of the 1/9th Infantry participated in Operation Desert Storm (1991), helping to liberate Kuwait as part of the 2nd Infantry Division.
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Global War on Terror: The battalion deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, conducting counterinsurgency operations and training local security forces.
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Manchu Mile: A unique battalion tradition, the "Manchu Mile" is a 25-mile ruck march commemorating the unit’s march to Beijing in 1900. It remains a rite of passage for soldiers in the battalion.
