9th Engineer Battalion
In autumn 1965, Headquarters Corps authorized the creation of an additional engineer battalion to serve with the 1st Marine Division. On 1 November 1965, the 9th Engineer Battalion was activated at Camp Pendleton, California, and assigned to Fleet Marine Force. Experienced and trained engineer officers, mechanics, heavy equipment operators and other skills from throughout the Marine Corps were used to form the nucleus. In April 1966, the battalion was reassigned to Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force. The training intensified until May 1966 when a lead group, one officer and a number of enlisted men, departed for the Republic of Vietnam aboard the USS Mathews. Shortly after, the remainder of the battalion followed.
The battalion was assigned to the 1st Marine Division based at Chu Lai, RVN. It began its direct support of the division's operational tasks including the rebuilding, repairing and maintenance of Highway 1 including demolitions, mines and booby-trap work (known as IED's in today's terms). With many rivers present, the battalion constructed bridges, built and operated the cable linked ferries, as well as general construction work. While many engineer units are under the umbrella of infantry security, Marines of the 9th Engineers provided their own perimeter security conducting combat operations such as combat
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9th Engineers also supported U.S. Army units such as the 1st Air Cav, Americal and 82nd Airborne Divisions, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and Republic of Vietnam units in the I Corps Operational Area. Additionally, they provided support to the civilian population with many civic action projects such as water points and medical clinics. The battalion served at and constructed many combat forward operating bases in the I Corps Area from south of Chu Lai north of Khe Sanh in the Demilitarized Zone and west to Laos.
During 1968, elements of the 9th Engineer Battalion built what is believed to be the longest bridge ever built by Marines, a 722 foot span across the Ba Ren River (Song Ba Ren) on Highway 1.
In March 1970 the battalion was relocated to Da Nang with the responsibility of maintaining Highway 1 to keep the highway operational for that area. The battalion continued to be responsible for its own security as the drawdown of Marine Corps forces was beginning to be implemented. As part of the drawdown elements of the battalion were gradually moved from the Republic of Vietnam in the months of July, August and September 1970. Other elements were assigned tot he 7th Engineer Battalion. On 30 October 1970, the 9th Engineer Battalion was
deactivated and the Battalion Corps retired. Alpha Company, though, was assigned to the 1st Marine Regiment at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. On 1 May 1976, the battalion was reactivated as the 9th Engineer Support Battalion based at Camp Hanson, Okinawa, Japan.Most battalion members served honorably in the Republic f Vietnam, but here we remember the following marines and Navy Corpsmen who were Killed in Action or Missing in Action. May they all Rest in Peace.
Boone, John T.
Bowden, Carlyle M. III
Brooks, Thomas J.
Bryant, Robert E.
Burris, Victor A.
Chaverie, Norman J.
Collier, Jerry L. (HM3)
Corson, Terry C.
Dines, Jeffery T.
Duncan, Kurt W. (HM3)
Eads, John P.
Friddle, Kenneth C.
Giglio, Phillip
Hedlund, Peter B.
Jackson, Bobby G.
Jone, Aaron B. Jr.
Kanaman, Kenneth H. (HM3)
Kehoe, Michael J.
Lavigne, Joseph E.
Leach, Steven L.
Lex, Michael E.
Livingston, William B.
Lund, Terry B.
Mabe, Carl M.
Mehaffey, Keith D.
Molkentline, Randy W.
Molossi, Robert J.
Moore, James R. (MIA)
Newman, Charles D.
Norris, Linza
Nottingham, Richard L.
O'Donnell, Bernard J.
Pierson, Leroy
Powers, Martin R.
Prochaska, Willard F.
Prush, Monty D.
Richardson, Jessie
Roades, Eugene
Robbins, Wayne D.
Roberts, William J.
Ross, Alan
Sablan, Ignacio E.
Savare, Howard L.
Schaeffer, Arlon G.
Simmons, James R.
Speight, Johnnie M. Jr.
Welch, Stephen M. (HM3)
Wilkins, William G.
Wilks, James L.
Yarbrough, George A.
Yates, Charles L.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1970.
Location. 38° 32.49′ N, 77° 20.565′ W. Marker is in Triangle, Virginia, in Prince William County. Memorial can be reached from Jefferson Davis Highway, 0.1 miles south of Joplin Road (Virginia Route 619), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Quantico VA 22134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Company H (here, next to this marker); The Basic School (here, next to this marker); Marine Spouses and Children Memorial (here, next to this marker); 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines (here, next to this marker); Hotel Company, The Basic School (here, next to this marker); 3rd Battalion 27th Marines (here, next to this marker); 263 Squadron (here, next to this marker); November Company (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Triangle.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 14, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 539 times since then and 104 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 14, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
