About this Unit
The 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9) is a storied infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps, originally activated in 1942 during World War II. The battalion saw combat in the Pacific Theater, including the battles of Bougainville and Guam. Reactivated for the Vietnam War, 3/9 participated in major operations such as Operation Double Eagle and the defense of Khe Sanh. In the post-Vietnam era, 3/9 served in various deployments, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, before being deactivated and later reactivated as part of the Marine Corps’ force structure realignments.
Historical Facts
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Origins: The 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9), nicknamed "The Walking Dead," was originally activated in 1942 during World War II at Camp Elliott, California.
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World War II Service: The battalion first saw combat in the Pacific Theater, notably participating in the Battle of Bougainville and later in the Northern Solomons campaign.
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Korean War Absence: 3/9 was not active during the Korean War, having been deactivated after WWII and not reactivated until the Vietnam War era.
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The Vietnam War: 3/9 was among the first Marine units to arrive in Vietnam in 1965, participating in major operations such as Operation Starlite, Operation Prairie, and the Battle of Khe Sanh.
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"The Walking Dead" Nickname: The battalion earned this nickname from their high casualty rates and their willingness to go into the most dangerous areas, often leading the way for other units.
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Battle of Dong Ha (1967): 3/9 played a crucial role in defending the Dong Ha Combat Base during the North Vietnamese Army's Easter Offensive.
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Deactivation and Reactivation: The unit has been deactivated and reactivated multiple times, most recently in 2008 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before being deactivated again in 2014.
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Operation Desert Storm: 3/9 participated in the Gulf War, involved in breaching Iraqi defensive lines during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
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Humanitarian Missions: Aside from combat, the battalion took part in humanitarian missions, such as Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh in 1991, providing disaster relief after a devastating cyclone.
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Decorations and Honors: 3/9 has earned numerous unit citations, including Presidential Unit Citations for actions in Vietnam, reflecting its distinguished service and sacrifice.
