2nd Battalion 9th Marines (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines


caption= 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment insignia
dates= *Nov. 20, 1917 - Sept. 2, 1994
*July 13, 2007 - Present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=USMC
type= Infantry battalion
role= Locate, close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver
size=
command_structure= 6th Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division
current_commander= LtCol Thad R. Trapp
garrison=
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= "Hell in a Helmet"
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= 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 Operation Desert Storm Operation Restore Hope Operation Iraqi Freedom
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=

The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (2/9) is 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 the "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.

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 9th Marine Regiment and the 3rd Marine Division. On July 13, 2007, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines was re-activated again as part of the 6th Marine Regiment and replaced the Anti-Terrorism Battalion (ATBN).

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. [ [http://www.blurtit.com/q483557.html What is the size of battalion?] , Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007] 2nd Battalion 9th Marines comprises a Headquarters & Service (H&S) Company, Weapons Company and three Infantry Companies: Echo, Fox, and Golf.

History

Early years

With the advent of World War I, the United States saw a necessity for expanding its Armed Forces. The United States Marine Corps was no exception. The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (also known as 2/9) was created and activated on November 20, 1917 at Quantico, Virginia. During this period in time, there was turmoil in Cuba's sugar producing regions. The islands sugar industry was operated by American companies and 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. [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/] 2/9 Network, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007] 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 Kansas City, Missouri with two companies stationed at St. Louis. 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines was once again disbanded in 1937. [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/] 2/9 Network, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007]

Awards:

*Mexican Border Service Medal

World War II

The battalion remained disbanded until April 1942. Five months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the unit was activated as part of the 2nd Marine Division. Their headquarters was at Camp Elliot in San Diego, California, where it underwent intensive amphibious training. Before being reassigned to the 3rd Marine Division, the unit was assigned to Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet. The Regiment was sent to Guadalcanal on July 1943 to relieve the 1st Marine Division. [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/] 2/9 Network, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007] 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines participated in the Bouganville 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. [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/] 2/9 Network, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007] cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Whos_Who/Wilson_LH.htm
title=General Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr., USMC
work=Who's Who in Marine Corps History
publisher=History Division, United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2007-10-18]

The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines were part of the reserve forces for the Battle of Iwo Jima and were committed to the action five days after D-Day. Among the Marines who distinguished themselves on Iwo Jima was Private Wilson D. Watson who was awarded the Medal of Honor. After the island was secured, the unit was sent back to Guam where they underwent training for a possible invasion of the Japanese mainland. The invasion never occurred since hostilities between Japan and the United States came to an end. The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines was sent to Camp Pendelton where, in December 1945, it was once again disbanded.cite web
url=http://www.historynet.com/magazines/world_war_2/3034251.html
title=A Hero Among Us, World War II Letters
work=World War II Magazine
month=May | year=2005
publisher=HistoryNet
accessdate=2006-08-02]

On November 1948, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines was again reestablished. The final stages of fighting between the Nationalists and the Communists, in the Chinese Civil War (also known as the War of Liberation), occurred between the 1945 and 1950. When the fighting escalated, the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines were ordered to Northern China to evacuate all Americans. This mission was accomplished by March 1949 and after which the battalion was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and was renamed as the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine. [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/] 2/9 Network, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007]

Awards:

* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - Bouganville Campaign
* Presidential Unit Citation - Guam Campaign
* Second Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - Guam Campaign
* Second Presidential Unit Citation - Iwo Jima Campaign
* Third Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - Iwo Jima Campaign
* The China Service Medal

Post World War II

On June 25, 1950, war broke out between the provisional governments of North and South Korea as they competed for control over the Korean peninsula. North Korea was supported by the People's Volunteer Army (PVA) of the People's Republic of China and South Korea by the allies under the aegis of the United Nations which included the United States. The conflict is known as the Korean War. The 1st Marine Division was sent in and saw action in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. In 1952, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines was reactivated and underwent training in Japan with the intention of participating in the conflict as part of the 3rd Marine Division. However, a cease-fire took effect and an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953. Even though 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines did not actively participate in the conflict, the unit was awarded the Korean Service Streamer and National Defense Service Medal Streamer. The 3rd Marine Divisions headquarters was moved to 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. [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/] 2/9 Network, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007]

Awards:

* Korean Service Medal
* National Defense Service Medal

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War, was a conflict between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRVN, or North Vietnam) and 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 South Vietnamese Army. 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. [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/] 2/9 Network, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007]

The 3d Marine Division began operating in Vietnam when on May 6, 1965, they opened a Marine Compound at the Danang Air Base. On July 4, 1965, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines were ordered to Vietnam from Okinawa. 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines fought battles in or around Danang, Hue, Phu Bai, Dong Ha, Camp Carrol, Cam Lo, Con Thien, Than Cam Son, Quanq Tri, Cua Viet, Vandergrift Combat Base and which is considered by many as their most vicious battle, Khe Sanh.cite web |url=http://www.homestead.com/myadoptedpowmia/KheSanh.html
title=Khe Sanh Combat Base
accessdate=2006-08-02]

On September 1962, U.S. military forces constructed an airstrip outside the town of Khe Sanh which became known as the Khe Sanh Combat Base. In 1965 the U.S. Special Forces constructed a base next to it. The base's defense was codenamed Operation Scotland and manned by the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines from 1967. It was used as a staging ground for a number of attacks on North Vietnamese (NVA) troop movements down the Ho Chi Minh Trail..cite web |url=http://www.homestead.com/myadoptedpowmia/KheSanh.html
title=Khe Sanh Combat Base
accessdate=2006-08-02]

On April and May 1967 various "Hill Fights" on Hills 861, 881 North and 881 South between the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines and NVA occurred. In 1968, Khe Sanh Combat Base came under heavy attack in what is known as the Battle of Khe Sanh. The main objective of the Communists was to draw off American troops into the countryside in preparation for the Tet Offensive. Despite being outnumered, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines held their ground and the North Vietnamese were driven off of the area around after experiencing heavy casualties.cite web |url=http://www.homestead.com/myadoptedpowmia/KheSanh.html
title=Khe Sanh Combat Base
accessdate=2006-08-02]

From January 22 to March 18, 1969, 2/9 participated in Operation Dewey Canyon which was a sweep of the A Shau Valley and the last major offensive by the Marine Corps in Vietnam. [ [http://www.homeofheroes.com/wesleyfox/3_mystory.html Home of Heroes] , Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007]

In August 1969, 2nd Battalion, 9th 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. [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/] 2/9 Network, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007]

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.Capture and Release of SS Mayaguez, Retrieved October, 18, 2007]

Calling the seizure "piracy", President Ford ordered a military response to retake the ship and its 39-man crew, mistakenly thought to be on Koh Tang Island. On May 13, two A-7D Corsairs saw the 39 man crew board a fishing boat and saw people disembarking fishing boats at Koh Tang Island. They assumed that the Mayaguez crew was on the island. Elements of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, the 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.Capture and Release of SS Mayaguez, Retrieved October, 18, 2007]

Battle of Koh Tang Island

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 machine guns, mortars, and rocket propelled grenade launchers in what became known as the Battle of Koh Tang Island. When the battalion received word of the safe arrival of the Mayaguez crew on the USS "Wilson" the Marines planned their withdrawal once they received orders from the 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, executed, and buried in a common, unmarked grave on Koh Tang Island.Capture and Release of SS Mayaguez, Retrieved October, 18, 2007]

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.Capture and Release of SS Mayaguez. ] 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 soldiers listed on the timeline of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial located in Washington, D.C.Capture and Release of SS Mayaguez, retrieved October 18, 2007] [cite web
url=http://www.virtualwall.org/dh/HargroveJN01a.htm
title= Joseph N. Hargrove
publisher=VirtualWall.org
accessdate=2006-08-02] Vietnam Veterans Memorial timeline, October 18, 2007]

Awards:

* Meritorious Unit Commendation
* Third Presidential Unit Citation
* Second National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal with two silver stars,
* Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm

Post Vietnam Era

Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm

Before the August 2, 1990, invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines was deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the Unit Deployment Program. In October 1990 the unit deployed to the Republic of the Philippines where it became the Ground Combat Element of Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) 4-90. On 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. [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/magtf-4.htm Marine Air Ground Task Force 4 / MAGTF 4] , Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007] Awards:

* Meritorious Unit Citation

Operation "Restore Hope"

The 5th Marine Regiment designated 2/9 to participate in the Marine Expeditionary Unit deployment cycle during November 1991. With the successful culmination of the Special Operations Capable Exercise (SOCEX), 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines became the designated Battalion Landing Team (BLT) for the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU).U.S. 3rd Marine Division, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007]

During this period, there were two main factions in the Republic of Somalia who provoked an all out war which became known as the Somalian Civil War. One of the factions was led by Ali Mahdi Mohamed, who became president; and the other, by the warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid.

In 1991, the United States initiated Operation Provide Relief (UNOSOM I) which was part of a United Nations (UN) endorsed effort called The Unified Task Force (UNITAF), to provide humanitarian relief. In August 1992, President George H. Bush sent, 25,000 US troops (mostly US Marines from I MEF) to the Republic of Somalia and the mission was renamed 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.U.S. 3rd Marine Division, Oct. 18, 2007]

That same month, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines was deployed to Somalia. BLT 2/9's mission as the lead unit, was to secure the port and airfield in Mogadishu which allowed the rapid build-up of forces in-country. The mission was accomplished between December 9, 1992 and February 1993. 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 battalions next two deployments were to Fort Sherman, Panama during one of which they participated in the Javelin anti-tank missile evaluation program.15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Retrieved Oct. 18, 2007] U.S. 3rd Marine Division, Oct. 18, 2007] On September 2, 1994, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines was deactivated and redesignated 2nd Battalion 4th Marines.

Awards:

* Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

2000-present

On December 7, 2006, Headquarters Marine Corps released a message stating that 2nd Battalion 9th Marines would be reactivated during 2007 as part of the continuing Global War on Terror. 2nd Battalion 9th Marines was re-activated on July 13, 2007 and replaced the Anti-Terrorism Battalion (ATBN).cite web|accessdate=2006-12-12
url=http://www.usmc.mil/maradmins/maradmin2000.nsf/37f49138fc3d9c00852569b9000af6b7/1930745bb2d089c18525723d006167c7?OpenDocument
title= MARADMIN 582/06 - PUBLICATION OF FISCAL YEARS 2007 THROUGH 2013 TABLES OF ORGANIZATION AND EQUIPMENT (T/OE)
publisher=U.S. Marine Corps]

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 ...".cite web|accessdate=2007-10-18
url=http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/julqtr/32cfr578.4.htm
title=Title 2, Chapter V, Part 58, Sec. 578.4 "Medal of Honor"
work=Code of Federal Regulations
date=2002-07-01] 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.

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. [ [http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS274&q=unit+citation&btnG=Google+Search Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register] ] 2/9 has been presented with the following awards:

ee also

*History of the United States Marine Corps
*List of United States Marine Corps battalions
*Organization of the United States Marine Corps

Notes

References

;Web
* [http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/Public%2FIIMEFpublic.nsf/unitSites/2bn9mar Official Website of 2nd Battallion, 9th Marine Regiment]
* [http://www.2ndbattalion9thmarines.org/ Official Website of the 2/9 Network] . Retrieved 2006-07-03.
* [http://www.virtualwall.org Vietnam Veterans Memorial] , "The Virtual Wall".. 2006-07-10.
* [http://www.3div.usmc.mil/ U.S. 3rd Marine Division] , Official USMC website. Retrieved on 2006-07-08.
*cite web|url=http://www.usmm.org/mayaguez.html
title=Capture and Release of SS Mayaguez by Khmer Rouge forces in May 1975
publisher=USMM.org
accessdate=2006-07-08
* [http://www.usmc.mil/15thmeu/ 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit] , Official USMC website. Retrieved on 2006-07-10.
* [http://www.foxco-2ndbn-9thmarines.com/ Fox Co. 2/9 in Vietnam] . Retrieved 2006-07-03.
* [http://blish.en.wikiax.biz/en/Vietnam%20Veterans%20Memorial Vietnam Veterans Memorial timeline] . Retrieved 2006-08-02.