2nd Battalion, 9th Marines

2nd Battalion, 9th Marines
2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment insignia
Active	November 20, 1917 – September 2, 1994 July 13, 2007 – April 1, 2015
Country	United States of America
Branch	U.S. Marine Corps (deactivated)
Type	Infantry battalion
Role	Infantry warfare
Nickname(s)	"Hell in a Helmet"
Engagements	World War II Battle of Bougainville Battle of Guam Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Battle of Hill 881 Battle of Khe Sanh Operation Frequent Wind Mayaguez Incident Persian Gulf War Operation Desert Storm Somali Civil War Operation Restore Hope Iraq War Operation Iraqi Freedom Global War on Terror Operation Enduring Freedom War in Afghanistan

World War II

Vietnam War

Persian Gulf War

Somali Civil War

Iraq War

Global War on Terror

2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9) was an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, the unit played an instrumental role in the defeat of the Japanese forces in the Battles of Guam and Iwo Jima during the World War II. The battalion distinguished itself in the defense of Khe Sanh during the Vietnam War, and later participated in an ill-fated invasion of Koh Tang Island in Southeast Asia, with the intention of rescuing the crew of SS Mayaguez. During Operation Desert Storm, the battalion served as the lead battalion for the III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF).

2/9 also participated in various humanitarian missions. The battalion helped evacuate Americans from Northern China during the Chinese Civil War and in various occasions participated in providing relief to the victims of typhoons. In 1992, the battalion participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.