3rd Battalion, 9th Marines

• Origins and Formation: The 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9) was first activated on November 20, 1917 at Quantico, Virginia, making it one of the older battalions in the Marine Corps. • World War II Service: 3/9 participated in the Pacific Theater during World War II, notably fighting in the Bougainville campaign and the Battle of Guam. • Vietnam War Actions: The battalion saw extensive combat during the Vietnam War, including major operations such as Operation Starlite, Operation Buffalo, and the defense of Khe Sanh. • Nickname: 3/9 is nicknamed “The Walking Dead,” a moniker reportedly given by Radio Hanoi due to the unit’s frequent presence in dangerous combat zones and its reputation for resilience. • Heroism at Khe Sanh: During the 1968 siege of Khe Sanh, 3/9 Marines defended the combat base under heavy enemy bombardment, earning numerous individual and unit commendations for valor. • Gulf War Deployment: 3/9 participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990–1991, conducting operations in Kuwait and Iraq as part of the 1st Marine Division. • Deactivations and Reactivations: The battalion has been deactivated and reactivated several times, most recently in 2008 before its final deactivation in 2014 as part of Marine Corps force restructuring. • Notable Alumni: Several distinguished Marines served with 3/9, including Medal of Honor recipient PFC Frank Witek, who was posthumously awarded for his actions on Guam in 1944. • Humanitarian Missions: 3/9 also took part in humanitarian operations, such as Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh in 1991, providing disaster relief after a devastating cyclone. • Legacy and Honors: The battalion received numerous unit citations, including Presidential Unit Citations and Navy Unit Commendations, and its legacy is remembered in Marine Corps history and traditions.