This item will need to be repaired it has a long crack down the center of the shield.

"A Battalion of the 9th Marines was the first units to land in Vietnam following the decision to commit Marine forces against the Viet Cong on 8 March 1965 BLT (Landing Team).  3/9 commanded by LTC C.E. McPartlin Jr. land in Da Nang.  At that time this unit was to defend Da Nang air base.  They quickly secured the air base until relieved by 1/9 under the command of LTC V.B. Ludwig.  On 16 June 1965 3/9 returned to Okinawa.  On 18 July another battalion fresh from the US was designated 3 Battalion 9th Marines.

In a half-century of existence this 9th Marines can look back upon its past history with pride.  This regiment performed valiantly on the beaches and in the jungles of Bouganinville and Guam, as well as on the volcanic ash of Iwo Jima.  They fought with distinction Vietnam.

I believe that present day Marines serving under the battle streamers of the 9th regimantal flag can share equally in the pride of earned combat honors and be confident that the "Striking Ninth" will continue to perform courageously in any future crisis."-from the donor