2nd Battalion, 9th Marines

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2nd Battalion, 9th Marines
United States of America
BranchUnited States Marine Corps
TypeMarines
RoleAmphibious warfare
Close-quarters combat
Jungle warfare
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Urban warfare
SizeBattalion
Nickname(s)"Hell in a Helmet"
EngagementsWorld War II

Vietnam War

Persian Gulf War

  • Operation Desert Storm

Somali Civil War

  • Operation Restore Hope

Iraq War

War in Afghanistan

2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9) was an

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

Operation Restore Hope in Somalia
.

2nd Battalion 9th Marines served until September 2, 1994, when it was deactivated to make room for one of three light armor reconnaissance battalions. It was part of the

6th Marine Regiment and replaced the Anti-Terrorism Battalion (ATBN). On April 1, 2015, it was deactivated as part of a post-war drawdown from Afghanistan.[1]

Battalion composition

A battalion in the Marine Corps is headed by the battalion commander, usually a lieutenant colonel and sometimes a colonel, his staff, headquarters, and the battalion sergeant major. It usually consists of 3–5 companies, with a total of 300 to 1,200 marines.[2] 2nd Battalion 9th Marines comprises a headquarters & service (H&S) company, weapons company and three infantry companies: Echo, Fox, and Golf. During the Vietnam war the battalion comprised headquarters & service (H&S) company, and four infantry companies: Echo, Fox, Golf, and Hotel. Each company had its own weapons platoon with 3 squads of M60 machine guns (7.62) and 60 mm mortars and ether 3.5-inch rocket launchers (super bazooka) or later LAAWS.

History

Early years

With the advent of World War I, the United States expanded the armed forces, to include the United States Marine Corps. The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (also known as 2/9) was created and activated on November 20, 1917, at Quantico, Virginia. During this period, there was turmoil in Cuba's sugar producing regions. American companies operated the island's sugar industry, which was vital to the economy of the United States. The battalion's first mission was to keep order in the island and once this was accomplished, it was reassigned. There were rumors that German agents were going to disrupt Mexican oil shipments to Texas. The battalion was sent to Texas to safeguard these shipments.[3] 2/9 was disbanded after the war on April 25, 1919, only to be reactivated in 1925. The battalion's main objective was to train reserve Marines and its headquarters was now transferred to

St. Louis. 2/9 was once again disbanded in 1937.[3]

World War II

Marines trudge forward through calf–deep mud on the Numa Numa Trail, Bougainville—November 1943

In April 1942, five months after the

1st Marine Division.[3]
2nd Battalion, 9th Marines participated in the
Bougainville campaign of the Solomon Islands in the latter part of 1943. On July 21, 1944, 2/9 participated in the invasion of Guam. The Japanese forces staged seven counterattacks, however the Marines prevailed despite the fact that they suffered over 50% casualties. It was during this initial battle that one Marine, Captain Louis H. Wilson Jr., (who would in the future become a Commandant of the Marine Corps) earned the Medal of Honor.[3][4]

The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines were part of the reserve forces for the

Camp Pendelton where, in December 1945, it was once again disbanded.[5]

Post-World War II

In November 1948, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines was again reestablished. The final stages of fighting between the

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was renamed as the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine.[3]

On June 25, 1950, war broke out between the provisional governments of

Okinawa in 1955 and in 1959 the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines returned to the 1st Marine Division. In 1960, the battalion returned to the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa.[3]

Vietnam War

MEDEVAC
helicopter during Operation Hickory III
2/9 insignia from the Vietnam-era.

The Vietnam War, was a conflict between the

Republic of Vietnam (RVN or South Vietnam), which eventually involved their respective allies. In 1959, the United States sent military advisors to train the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). By 1965, there were 25,000 military advisors in South Vietnam and on March 8, 1965, the United States Marines became the first US combat troops to land in South Vietnam, with a force of 3,500.[3]

The 3d Marine Division began operating in Vietnam when on May 6, 1965, they opened a Marine Compound at the

Danang, Hue, Phu Bai, Đông Hà, Camp Carroll, Cam Lộ, Con Thien, Than Cam Son, Quảng Trị, Cửa Việt, Vandegrift Combat Base and what is considered by many as their most vicious engagement, the Battle of Khe Sanh.[6]

In September 1962, U.S. military forces constructed an airstrip outside the town of Khe Sanh which became known as the

Ho Chi Minh Trail.[6]

From April to June 1966, the 2/9 Marines were caught in crossfire of the

Nguyen Chanh Thi
.

In April and May 1967 The Hill Fights on Hills 861, 881 North and 881 South around Khe Sanh Combat Base between the 2/9 Marines and PAVN occurred. In January 1968, Khe Sanh came under heavy attack in what is known as the Battle of Khe Sanh. The main objective of the PAVN was to draw off American troops into the countryside in preparation for the Tet Offensive. Despite being outnumbered, 2/9 Marines, the 26th Marine Regiment and ARVN forces held their ground and the PAVN were driven off of the area around after experiencing heavy casualties by heavy aerial bombardment.[6]

From January 22 to March 18, 1969, 2/9 participated in

A Shau Valley and the last major offensive by the Marine Corps in Vietnam.[7]

In August 1969, 2/9 Marines was ordered to return to Camp Schwab, Okinawa. During this period the unit was assigned to sea duty in and around the waters of Vietnam and continued to receive combat training at Camp Fuji, Japan and Subic Bay in the Philippines.[3]

Mayaguez Incident

Main article: Mayaguez incident

On May 12, 1975, barely two weeks after the fall of

Saigon, Khmer Rouge forces seized a U.S. flagged merchant ship, the SS Mayaguez in recognized international sea lanes claimed as territorial waters by Cambodia and removed its crew for questioning. The Khmer Rouge naval forces used abandoned US Navy "Swift Boats" in the seizure of the U.S. container ship.[8]

Calling the seizure "

2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, and the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, were flown to an advanced staging of a joint US Task Force. On May 14, the Marines from Company D, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines boarded the Mayaguez only to find it deserted and raised the American flag. A Thai fishing boat with a Thai crew and the 39 crew members of the SS Mayaguez which had been set free, approached the USS Wilson.[8]

Battle of Koh Tang Island

2nd Battalion, 9th Marines evacuate a damaged helicopter during the Mayaguez incident

2nd Battalion, 9th Marines landed on Koh Tang Island where the crew of the SS Mayaguez was believed to be held, they were unaware that the crew was already in American hands. The Marines and the CH-53 helicopters which transported them, were attacked by the Khmer Rouge with

U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff to that effect. After the last helicopter left, a head count showed that 3 Marines were left behind on the island. They were: PFC Gary Hall, LCpl. Joseph Hargrove, and Pvt Danny Marshall from E CO, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines. The three Marines were captured by the Khmer Rouge within a few days, tortured and executed.[8]

The Mayagüez incident with the Khmer Rouge, which ended on May 15, 1975, marked the last official battle of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines in the Vietnam War.[8] The unit deployment program was put into practice in February 1979, and 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines became the first battalion to rotate to the United States. A total of 18 Marines were killed on the last day of the SS Mayaguez rescue operation. They are the last Marines listed on the timeline of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Washington, D.C.[8][9][10]

Post Vietnam era

Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm

Before the August 2, 1990, invasion of

Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) 4-90. In November 1990, the island of Cebu, a Philippine providence, was devastated by a typhoon. Members of the battalion provided assistance during the disaster relief efforts. The battalion remained in the Philippines until April 1991 when it returned to Okinawa, Japan. Subsequently, the battalion returned to Camp Pendleton in August 1991.[11]

Somalia

The

Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment cycle during November 1991. With the successful culmination of the Special Operations Capable Exercise (MEUSOC), 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines became the designated Battalion Landing Team (BLT) for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU).[12]

By this time,

Mohammed Farah Aidid
.

In 1991, the United States initiated

Operation Restore Hope, also known as UNOSOM II. Its main objectives were to provide humanitarian relief, initiate 'nation building', disarm the various factions, restore law and order, help the people set up a representative government, and restore the infrastructure.[12]

That same month, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines was deployed to Somalia. BLT 2/9's mission was to be the lead unit, Marine Raiders from Fox Company performing the first live rubber boat landing since WW2 secured the seaport and a force Recon unit followed by Gulf company secured the airfield in Mogadishu which allowed the rapid build-up of forces in-country. The mission was accomplished between December 9, 1992, and February 1993. The Somalis referred to Marines of 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines as "The Black Boots." On January 30, 1993, a Marine patrol was ambushed in Mogadishu by gunmen faithful to warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid bringing about casualties. 2/9 remained in Somalia until April 1993 when they returned to Camp Pendleton. The battalion's next two deployments were to Fort Sherman, Panama for jungle training and then Fort Hunter Liggett which they participated in the Javelin anti-tank missile evaluation program.[12][13] On September 2, 1994, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines was deactivated and redesignated 2nd Battalion 4th Marines.

2007-2015

Marine Corps birthday in Ramadi
in 2008

On December 7, 2006,

Global War on Terror. 2nd Battalion 9th Marines was re-activated on July 13, 2007, and replaced the Anti-Terrorism Battalion (ATBn).[14]
In September 2008, Marines and Sailors from 2/9 deployed to
Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were based in the city of Ramadi and returned in April 2009 without any Marines or Sailors killed in action. July 2010 Marines and Sailors from 2/9 deployed to Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.[15] In December 2010 Echo Company from 2/9 were attached to 3/5 in Sangin, Afghanistan where they earned the notorious nickname of "Green Hats." They returned February 2011. They redeployed back to Marjah December 2011 and returned July 2012. Echo and Weapons companies deployed once more to Afghanistan from January through April 2013, participating in combat operations out of Camp Leatherneck.[16] On April 1, 2015, the battalion was deactivated in a ceremony at Camp Lejeune.[1]

Medal of Honor recipients

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 ...".[17] The following table contains the names of the men who were recipients of the Medal of Honor while serving in 2/9. They are listed in accordance to the "Date of Action" in which the MoH citation was made.  †
indicates that the Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously

Name Rank in 2/9 Unit Place Date of action Ref.

Louis H. Wilson Jr.		 Captain Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division Near Font Hill, Guam July 25, 1944 – July 26, 1944 [18]

Wilson D. Watson		 Private Company G, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division Iwo Jima February 26, 1945 – February 27, 1945 [19]
Harvey C. Barnum, Jr.
First Lieutenant
 Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division Near Ky Phu, Republic of Vietnam December 18, 1965 [20]
Thomas P. Noonan, Jr. †
Lance Corporal
 Company G, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Near Quanq Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam February 5, 1969 [21]

William D. Morgan †		 Corporal Company H, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division Near Quanq Tri Province, Republic of Vietnam February 25, 1969 [22]

William K. Carpenter		 Corporal Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division Marjah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan November 21, 2010 [23]

Commandants of the Marine Corps

The

Secretary of the Navy but not to the Chief of Naval Operations.[24]
Three Marines who served in 2nd Battalion 9th Marines became Commandant of the Marine Corps. They are listed in the table in accordance to the years in which they served as Commandants and their ranks are those which they held while serving in 2/9, they were:

Name Rank in 2/9 Unit served Served as Commandant Ref.
Robert E. Cushman, Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel
 Commanding officer of 2/9 from January 2, 1943, to April 20, 1945 January 1, 1972, to June 30, 1975 [25]

Louis H. Wilson Jr.		 Captain Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division July 1, 1975, to June 30, 1979 [26]

Charles C. Krulak		 Major Operations Officer of 2/9 from 1977 to 1978 June 30, 1995, to June 30, 1999 [27]

Distinguished Marines

Other Marines who served in the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines during their careers, who subsequently distinguished themselves by either becoming a general officer (O-7 and above) or recipients of the Medal of Honor while assigned to a different unit were:

Name Rank Unit served Distinction Ref.

Frank J. Breth
Brigadier General
 Platoon Commander (1960–1961) Reached the rank of Brigadier General [28]

Joseph J. McMenamin		 Brigadier General Served as the
81mm Mortar
Platoon Commander and Headquarters & Service Company Executive Officer (1974–1976)		 Reached the rank of Brigadier General [29]

Howard V. Lee
Lieutenant Colonel
 Platoon commander of Co. F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (1958–1959) Medal of Honor (1966) [30]

Allan J. Kellogg
Sergeant Major
 Company Supply Non-commissioned Officer of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division (1965–1967) Medal of Honor (1970) [31]

Other notable former members

Unit awards

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.[33] 2/9 has been presented with the following awards:

- Presidential Unit Citation (Navy/Marine Corps)
- Presidential Unit Citation (Army/Air Force)
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Navy/Marine Corps)
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
World War II Victory
- National Defense Service
- China Service
- Korean Service
- Armed Forces Expeditionary
- Southwest Asia Service
- Vietnam Service
Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation of the Gallantry Cross
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
- Fourragère - 2/9 under the 5th or 6th Marines command rates a French Fourragère

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Seck, Hope Hodge (April 8, 2015). "Last 9th Marines battalion deactivates at Lejeune". www.marinecorpstimes.com. Retrieved September 4, 2015.
  2. ^ What is the size of battalion?, Retrieved October 18, 2007
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h [1] 2/9 Network, retrieved October 18, 2007
  4. ^ "General Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  5. ^ "A Hero Among Us, World War II Letters". World War II Magazine. HistoryNet. May 2005. Retrieved 2006-08-02.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ a b c "Khe Sanh Combat Base". Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  7. ^ Home of Heroes Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved October 18, 2007
  8. ^ a b c d e Capture and Release of SS Mayaguez, Retrieved October 18, 2007
  9. ^ "Joseph N. Hargrove". VirtualWall.org. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
  10. ^ Vietnam Veterans Memorial timeline, October 18, 2007
  11. ^ Marine Air Ground Task Force 4 / MAGTF 4, Retrieved October 18, 2007
  12. ^ a b c U.S. 3rd Marine Division, Retrieved October 18, 2007
  13. ^ 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Retrieved October 18, 2007
  14. ^ "MARADMIN 582/06 - PUBLICATION OF FISCAL YEARS 2007 THROUGH 2013 TABLES OF ORGANIZATION AND EQUIPMENT (T/OE)". U.S. Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 11 December 2006. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
  15. ^ "About 2nd Battalion 9th Marines". 2ndbattalion9thmarines.org. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  16. ^ "The Battalion Runner 2011 - No. 2". 2ndbattalion9thmarines.org. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  17. ^ "Title 2, Chapter V, Part 58, Sec. 578.4 "Medal of Honor"". Code of Federal Regulations. 2002-07-01. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  18. ^ "Capt Louis H. Wilson Jr., Medal of Honor, 1944, 2/9/3, Guam (Medal of Honor citation)". Marines Awarded the Medal of Honor. United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-02-20. Retrieved 2007-02-10.
  19. ^ Wilson Douglas Watson Archived February 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Who's Who in Marine Corps History, History Division, United States Marine Corps, Retrieved October 20, 2007
  20. ^ "First Lieutenant Harvey C. Barnum, Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  21. ^ "Lance Corporal Thomas P. Noonan, Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-02-08. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  22. ^ "Corporal William David Morgan, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  23. ^ "Carpenter Valor". Archived from the original on 2014-07-22. Retrieved 2014-07-18.
  24. ^ "USMC Commandants". Heritage Press International. Archived from the original on 16 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  25. ^ "General Robert E. Cushman, Jr., USMC". Who's who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  26. ^ "General Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  27. ^ "General Charles C. Krulak, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-03-12. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  28. ^ "Official Biography for Frank J. Breth". United States Marien Corps. Retrieved 2007-10-20.[dead link]
  29. ^ "Official Biography for Joseph J. McMenamin". United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  30. ^ "Lieutenant Colonel Howard Vincent Lee, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  31. ^ "Sergeant Major Allen J. Kellogg, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-10-20.
  32. ^ Marine Corps Heritage Foundation website Archived June 5, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register

References

Web

,

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