About this Unit
The 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade (9th MAB) was a rapid deployment force of the United States Marine Corps, established to provide amphibious and expeditionary capabilities in the Pacific region. Activated during the Vietnam War, the 9th MAB played a crucial role in contingency operations, including the evacuation of Saigon during Operation Frequent Wind in 1975. The unit was often tasked with crisis response missions, humanitarian assistance, and joint exercises throughout Asia. The brigade was eventually redesignated, with its legacy continuing in the modern expeditionary units of the USMC.
Historical Facts
• Origins in Vietnam: The 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade (9th MAB) was first formed during the Vietnam War, initially serving as a rapid deployment and contingency force for the U.S. Marine Corps in the Western Pacific.
• Role in the Tet Offensive: During the 1968 Tet Offensive, the 9th MAB played a critical role in reinforcing besieged positions, particularly around Khe Sanh and Hue, bolstering Marine defenses during intense fighting.
• Flexible Task Force: The 9th MAB was not a permanently established unit, but rather a headquarters and staff element that could assemble various Marine Corps units for specific missions, making it highly adaptable and responsive.
• Operation Frequent Wind: In April 1975, elements of the 9th MAB participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of U.S. personnel and at-risk Vietnamese from Saigon, marking the end of American involvement in Vietnam.
• Humanitarian Missions: The 9th MAB was frequently tasked with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in the Pacific, including typhoon and earthquake response operations in Asia during the 1970s and 1980s.
• Amphibious Expertise: As a Marine Amphibious Brigade, the 9th MAB specialized in amphibious assault operations, regularly conducting joint exercises with allied navies and armies in the Pacific theater.
• Forward Deployed Headquarters: The brigade was often headquartered on Okinawa, Japan, enabling rapid response to crises anywhere in the Asia-Pacific region within days.
• Transition to MEU: In the late 1980s, the concept of Marine Amphibious Brigades evolved into Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), and the 9th MAB’s legacy continued as the 31st MEU, which remains forward deployed in the Pacific.
• Cold War Deterrence: Throughout the Cold War, the 9th MAB served as a deterrent force, prepared to respond to conflicts or emergencies in hotspots such as Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.
• Decorations and Honors: Units assigned to the 9th MAB during its Vietnam service earned several commendations, including Presidential Unit Citations and Navy Unit Commendations for their valor and effectiveness in combat operations.
