1st Battalion 9th Marines
| 1st Battalion 9th Marines | |
|---|---|
1/9 Insignia
|
|
| Active |
|
| Country | United States |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Locate, close with and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver |
| Part of |
9th Marine Regiment 3rd Marine Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune |
| Nickname(s) | "The Walking Dead" |
| Engagements |
Operation Desert Storm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LTCOL COLLIER, COREY M. |
| Notable commanders |
Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. |
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
The 1st Battalion 9th Marines (1/9) was an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, it served until the mid-2000s when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions. During the Vietnam War, 1/9 sustained the highest casualty rate in Marine Corps history. This earned them the nickname "The Walking Dead".
In late 2005, the battalion was once again activated and attached to the 8th Marine Regiment at MCB Camp Lejeune. Although the first full company has deployed, 1/9 was not expected to be ready for deployment as a battalion until May 2008. On 19 April 2007, 1/9 was officially stood up with all of its subordinate units fully manned.
As of 29 August 2014 the battalion has once again been deactivated due to a force shaping initiative and downsizing of the Marine Corps.
On the occasion of this deactivation, one of its former officers lauded: "Not a better battalion in the world".
The battalion was composed of four infantry companies and one headquarters and services company:
The battalion was activated on 20 November 1917 at Quantico, Virginia as the 9th Regiment. During December 1917 they were deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and attached to the 3rd Provisional Brigade. They were relocated during August 1918 to Fort Crockett, Galveston, Texas, and detached from 3rd Provisional Brigade. They moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during April 1919 and deactivated 25 April 1919.
The battalion was activated on 1 March 1942 at San Diego, California and were assigned to the 2nd Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Division. They were reassigned during August 1942 to Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet and shortly thereafter relocated during September 1942 to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and reassigned to the 3rd Marine Division. They deployed during January–February 1943 to Auckland, New Zealand and from there participated in the following World War II Campaigns:
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