US Navy - 1st Battalion 9th Marines

DESCRIPTION

Accession NumberP515Title (extended title only)Plaque - US Navy - 1st Battalion 9th MarinesDescriptionLarge sized plaque with inlaid motif and logo of 1st Battalion 9th Marines
DateBetween 1st January 1990 and 31st December 1999ProvenanceThe 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 armour reconnaissance battalions. During World War Two, 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 island campaigns including Bougainville and Iwo Jima.
Following the surrender of Japan the battalion was detached during December 1945 from the 3rd Marine Division and returned during December 1945 to Camp Pendleton, California. They were formally deactivated on 31 December 1945.
During the Vietnam War, 1/9 sustained an especially high casualty rate as they faced extraordinary challenges and hardships during their tour.
During most of the 1980s and 1990s, the battalion rotated between Camp Pendleton, California and Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. This consisted of twelve months overseas and 18 months in California.
1st Battalion, 9th Marines, Fleet Marine Force(REIN), Camp Pendleton, California, served on several overseas deployments. The Marines and Sailors were trained in Counter Terrorism, Downed Airman Rescue, Embassy evacuations, SPIE rigging, fast roping, rubber raiding in their inflatable boats for boarding and insertion, and rappelling. Much of the training was spent on foreign Soviet weapons and Soviet military doctrine. The battalion served in the Gulf War.
In late 2005, the battalion was reactivated and attached to the 8th Marine Regiment at MCB Camp Lejeune. 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 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”
Relevance to the CityThe City of Fremantle has a long association with the US Navy. During World War Two the Ninth Marines fought through the islands and were with the Australian forces in Bougainville. Their visit to Fremantle most probably coincided with their deployment in the first gulf war

SubjectUnited States NavyCollectionCivic Collection

INTERNAL

LocationCivic Collection

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