| 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines | |
|---|---|
3/9 Insignia |
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| Active |
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| Country | United States |
| Branch | USMC |
| Type | Infantry Battalion |
| Role | Locate, close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver, and repel the enemy's assault with fire and close combat |
| Part of | Active |
| Garrison/HQ | Camp Lejeune |
| Nickname | Shadow Warriors |
| Motto | "Death in the Dark" (Vietnam Era), "Striking 3/9" (Post-Vietnam Era) |
| Engagements | World War II *Battle of Bougainville *Battle of Guam *Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Restore Hope |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
LtCol D.W. HUDSPETH |
The 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines (3/9) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I it served until the early 1990s when it was redesignated as 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines (3/4) during a realignment and renumbering of the Marine Corps' infantry battalions, following the deactivation of the 9th Marine Regiment. The 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines was initially a subordinate unit of the 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, but was later operationally transferred to the 1st Marine Division as a subordinate unit of the 7th Marine Regiment where it remained until its redesignation as 3/4.
3/9 was reactivated under the 2nd Marine Division in May 2008 as the Marines expands as a result of the continuing War on Terror.
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The battalion comprised three infantry companies, one weapons company and a headquarters and service company:
The battalion was deactivated on 1 September 1937.
3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment was reactivated on 12 February 1942, at Camp Elliot, San Diego, California as part of the 2nd Marine Division. The battalion was formed by a nucleus of officers and Marines from the 2nd Marine Regiment. In September 1942, the battalion was relocated to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and reassigned to the 3rd Marine Division. The battalion was initially deployed to Cape Paerata, New Zealand in February 1943 and then moved to Guadalcanal in July of that year.
3/9 participated in the following campaigns during World War Two: Bougainville, Northern Solomons, Guam, and Iwo Jima. At Iwo Jima, 3/9 had the distinction of making the only battalion size unsupported, non-illuminated night attack against the Japanese in the Pacific War. Attesting to the ferocity of combat on Iwo Jima, all 22 of the battalions officers that landed on D-Day were killed or wounded by the end of the battle.[1] For their service at Iwo Jima, the battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation. The battalion was disbanded on 31 October 1945.
3/9 became the first battalion-sized ground combat unit to be deployed to Vietnam when they landed on 8 March 1965 in Da Nang, Republic of Vietnam. Over the course of the next four and a half years, the battalion operated from Da Nang, An Hoa and Quang Tri and participated in over 40 combat operations, including Operation Double Eagle, Operation Buffalo and Operation Dewey Canyon. The battalion redeployed in 13 August 1969, after four years of continuous combat operations.[2]
Kilo and India companies were deployed to Bien Hoa Air Base to provide ground support, for Marine Aircraft Group 12 in May 1972. They remained at Bien Hoa until January 1973.[3]
During 1986 though 1987 3/9 was commanded by LtCol James L Jones who later became the Commandant of the Marine Corps, NATO Commander, and the National Security Adviser. During 1986 the battalion participated in the filming of Heartbreak Ridge in Camp Pendleton, California and Hamburger Hill while deployed to the Philippines. Participated in Operation Desert Shield between August 1990 and January 1991. Participated in Operation Desert Storm between January 1991 and March 1991. Participated in Operation Restore Hope between 1992 and 1993. Deactivated on 2 September 1994 and redesignated 3rd Battalion 4th Marines.
On 7 December 2006, Headquarters Marine Corps released a message stating that 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines would be reactivated during 2008 as part of the continuing Global War on Terror.[4]
On 20 May 2008, 3/9 was reactivated at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina under the 2nd Marine Division.[5][6]
In July 2009, 3rd Battalion 9th Marines deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They came home within 3 months due to troop withdrawals in Iraq.
In December 2010, 3rd Battalion 9th Marines deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While in Marjah, Helmand province, the Marines and Sailors of 3/9 successfully fought the Taliban out of an area twice the size of what the previous secure areas of Marjah had been. In one day the Marines of 3/9 killed over 20 Taliban, clearing the way for greater progress east into the Trek Nawa area on the outskirts of Marjah. The Marine and Sailors of 3rd battalion, 9th Marine Regiment returned to America in early July 2011. The Marines were greeted again by their Battalion Commander Lt Col. David W. Hudspeth, affectionately known as "Dave", and Sergeant Major Octaviano Gallegos, for the first time as a group on July 8, 2011. Lt Col. Hudspeth reminded the Marines and Sailors: "Live for the ones who can't be here today, live for those who were maimed, live for yourselves, knowning that when you are 65 years old, you can proudly tell your grandchildren what you accomplished in a place called Marjah." Sgt Maj. Gallegos reminded the Marines and Sailors of the old saying: "You're only as good as your last patrol, keep your heads held high, keep that legacy going, and remember what you have done for the Marine Corps and America."
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself "... conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States ...".[7] The following table contains the names of the men who were recipients of the Medal of Honor while serving in 3/9. They are listed in accordance to the "Date of Action" in which the MoH citation was made.
| Name | Rank | Unit | Place | Date of action | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John P. Bobo |
Second Lieutenant | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division | Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam | 25 March 1967 | [8] |
Thomas E. Creek |
Lance Corporal | Company I, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division | Cam Lo, Republic of Vietnam | 13 February 1967 | [9] |
Alfred M. Wilson |
Private First Class | Company M, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division | Quang Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam | 3 March 1969 | [10] |
A unit citation or commendation is an award bestowed upon an organization for the action cited. Members of the unit who participated in said actions are allowed to wear on their uniforms the awarded unit citation. 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines has been presented with the following awards:
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Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star |
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award | |
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Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars |
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Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star |
| Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze stars | |
| World War II Victory Medal | |
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National Defense Service Medal (with two bronze stars) |
| Korean Service Medal with two silver stars | |
| Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal | |
| Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | |
| Vietnam Service Medal with two silver stars and one bronze stars | |
| Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars | |
| Korean Presidential Unit Citation | |
| Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Streamer | |
| Philippine Presidential Unit Citation | |
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) | |
| Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |
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