'Walking Dead' Marine battalion to be deactivated

[pinboy3niner]

Last edited Fri Aug 29, 2014, 01:36 PM - Edit history (1)

By JONATHAN DREW, Associated Press | August 29, 2014

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Decades before the television show, a Marine Corps battalion decorated for extensive combat in World War II and Vietnam earned the nickname the "Walking Dead."

Now the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, which also saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan, is being deactivated during a ceremony Friday at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The step comes as top U.S. military and political leaders are moving to trim the size of America's military after more than a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marine Corps historians say the battalion appears to have gotten the nickname because of its high rate of casualties during the Vietnam War. But the unit also has a reputation for heroism that included Medal of Honor recipients at Guam and Iwo Jima during World War II and two in Vietnam.

Formed during World War I, the battalion had previously been deactivated in 1994 and reactivated in 2007. Its insignia depicts a cloaked grim reaper carrying a scythe.

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http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Walking-Dead-Marine-battalion-to-be-deactivated-5720543.php

I don't know if we have any 1/9 vets here, but anyone who ever served with that battalion will likely take news of its deactivation hard. I learned long afterward that my Army bn. from VN and our sister bn., both of the 101st Airborne Div., were stood down after the war. Years later our sister bn., 1/501 Inf., was reactivated for GWOT--but as part of the 25th Infantry Div.And just recently my old bn. (2/501 Inf.) was reactivated--but now as part of the 82nd Airborne Div.

The Marines' 1/9 may be reactivated at some point in the future, but if that happens the Corps likely will at least keep it as part of 2 Mar Div and not stick it with some other division.

[malthaussen]

1. Salute to the 1/9th Marines.

... and it's a travesty that a 101st airborne bn should be reactivated under the 82nd.

But hey, the British have it all over us when it comes to ruining old and famous military units. I'm a big fan of George MacDonald Fraser, and I 'bout cried when the 92nd was finally amalgamated. I suppose one could argue it's a good thing, representing a de-glorification of the military mystique, but it does seem a disservice to those who were steeped in their unit's heritage.

-- Mal

[Abnredleg]

2. 2/501st was part of the 82nd in the 50's

It returned to the 101st in 1964. We're all just one big happy airborne family.

(Even if the Choking Chickens are all legs. )

[pinboy3niner]

3. Careful there, Almost Airborne

As a host of this group I have super powers for handling anyone who posts here--in unpleasant ways.

For now, welcome to DU--even if you obviously served in the inferior unit. I'm still thinking over my superpower options for you...