3:9th Marines

• 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. • 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. • 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. • 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. • "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. • 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. • 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. • Operation Desert Storm: 3/9 participated in the Gulf War, involved in breaching Iraqi defensive lines during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. • 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. • Decorations and Honors: 3/9 has earned numerous unit citations, including Presidential Unit Citations for actions in Vietnam, reflecting its distinguished service and sacrifice.