We Are The Walking Dead

The 1st Battalion, 9th Marines (1/9), was born on the Marine Corps' 142nd birthday in 1917. Over the next 97 years, they earned a place in Marine Corps history for bravery and courage, highlighted by four years of combat in Vietnam. During those four years, the battalion suffered more casualties than any unit in Marine Corps history and earned its enduring nickname, "The Walking Dead."
Their story is dedicated to the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for freedom. It is a story of sacrifice and honor. These heroes gave the last full measure of devotion, leaving their future on the ground in the jungle so that others could have a future of freedom.

In early spring 1966, the 1st Bn 9th Marines launched the Ky Lam campaign, which accounted for more than 174 Communists killed. Among them was Ho Chi Minh's nephew. At a ceremony in Hanoi, General Vo Nguyen Giap promised President Ho Chi Minh he would wipe out the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, as a present for the leader's birthday (May 19). In describing the fate that awaited the Marines, Giap allegedly used the term "di bo Chet," translated as the "walking dead": The Marines should be considered already dead, just not buried yet. The 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, proudly and defiantly adopted "The Walking Dead" as its nickname. The battalion used the label to describe themselves.

They were engaged in combat in Vietnam for 47 months and seven days, from June 15, 1965, to October 19, 1966, and December 11, 1966, to July 14, 1969. During that period, 2,892 Marines passed through the unit, and 25.89% (747) were Killed In Action (KIA), with 0.0007% (2) Missing In Action (MIA). Both KIA and MIA figures are Marine Corps records.