1st Battalion, 9th Marines

1st Battalion 9th Marines
1/9 Insignia
Active	1 March 1942 – 9 September 2001 April 2007 – August 29, 2014
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Type	Infantry
Role	Locate, close with and destroy the enemy through fire and maneuver
Part of	9th Marine Regiment 2nd Marine Division
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Nickname(s)	"The Walking Dead"
Engagements	World War II Battle of Bougainville Battle of Guam Battle of Iwo Jima Vietnam War Operation Deckhouse Five Operation Buffalo Operation Dewey Canyon Operation Frequent Wind Tet Offensive Operation Desert Storm War on Terror Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom
Commanders
Notable commanders	Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Carey A. Randall George W. Smith

The 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 armor reconnaissance battalions. During the Vietnam War, 1/9 sustained an especially high casualty rate, such that it received the nickname "The Walking Dead".

In late 2005, the battalion was reactivated and attached to the 8th Marine Regiment at MCB Camp Lejeune; additionally, Motor Transport Drivers and Mechanics were assigned to Headquarters Company, 6th Marine Regiment, Camp LeJeune. Although the first full company has deployed, 1/9 was not expected to be ready for deployment as a battalion until May 2008. 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.^[1] On the occasion of this deactivation, one of its former officers lauded: "Not a better battalion in the world".^[2]