| 9th Engineer Support Battalion | The Song Ba Ren Bridge |
History
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Photos from the Past
Operating without equipment for the first two months, the engineers spent
most of their time training in general military subjects, physical training,
vietnamese language orientation classes on Southeast Asia in preparation
for development to the Republic of Vietnam.
With the arrival of equipment, long hours were spent in the inspection of each piece and the training of operators and mechanics.
On 1 April 1966, the battalion was redesigned to 9th Engineer Battalion, Force Troops, FMFPac, coming under operational control of the 29 Palms, California based command, although continuing to be based at Camp Pendleton, California where intensified training continued until and advance detail left the States on 2 May, when 1 officer and 11 enlisted Marines embarked aboard the USS Mathews (AKA 96) and sailed from Long Beach, California for the Republic of Vietnam.
On 15 May 1966, the battalion personnel embarked aboard the USS Ogden (LPD 5) at San Diego enroute to the Republic of Vietnam, and on the following day another group embarked aboard USS Fort Marion (LSD 22) at San Diego, California, enroute to their destination at Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam. On 18 May an Advance Party departed MCAS, El Toro, California by government air enroute to Vietnam, arriving 23 May to begin preparations for the arrival of the remainder of the battalion. Soon afterward, part of the Service Company arrived on board the USS Mathews (AKA-96) on 27 May 1966. The Battalion Head- quarters, Headquarters Company, Company B plus other battalion elements arrived on 6 June 1966 aboard the USS Ogden (LPD-5).
Companies A and C arrived and disembarked 15 June, with final personnel of Company D arriving in the battalion area on 17 June. On 25 June Company A departed Chu lai for Danang, aboard the USS Summit County (LST-1146) where it came under operational control of the 7th Engineer Battalion.
The 9th Engineers' new home in the Republic of Vietnam was a flat, sandy area stretching alongside Highway 1, one-quarter mile southeast of the Chu Lai "New Life" village. The engineers' first task was setting up camp in the sandy area and building a road network throughout so shops and living quarters could be set up.
Eleven days after its arrival the battalion made its first commitment in support of the 1st Marine Division. By the end of June the engineers were fully employed, with the vast majority of their efforts being spent in support of the 1st Marine Division (Reinf).
During its stay in the Republic of Vietnam, the battalion accomplished many varied tasks, including thr repairing and paving a segment of Highway 1, building and repairing bridges, building and operating cable-operated ferries, general camp construction, rock crushing, and installation and operation of water points. In addition to its many construction jobs, the engineers were actively egaged in mine-clearing assignments, convoy security, and other general combat support operations. They also maintained their own perimeter and ran combat patrols in their own area of operation.
Although the battalion's main effort went to the 1st Marine Division. it also supported U.S. Army units and other Free World Forces, as well as local Vietnamese civilian and military projects near Chu Lai. Some of the operations that the battalion actively participated in were COLORADO. WASHINGTON, FRESNO, NAPA and GOLDEN FLEECE.
In March 1970, though all operational commitments were continued, significant effort was placed on the relocation of the battalion to Danang. By 30 March, 475 personnel and 2,650 tons of equipment had been moved by convoy and sealift to the 1st Marine Division AO in the Danang area. During the remainder of its stay in Vietnam, the battalion continued to stress its primary missions of minesweeps, upgrading and haul support, and keeping highway 1 open to traffic in its area.
Company A completed its stay when on 2 March 1970 it was deployed out of the Republic of Vietnam. Its designations was changed to Company A (Rein), 9th Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Brigade, FMF as it departed for Hawaii, arriving there on 16 March and becoming an increment of the 1st Marine Brigade.
While a unit in Vietnam its headquarters was Hill 10, south of Danang, with its primary mission being the maintenance of Highway QL-1 between Tam Ky and Thang Binh. In addition it carried out such engineering assignments as minefield clearing, small bridge construction, and bunker complex construction, in and around various Marine elements located south of Danang.
During July 1970 Company C, 9th Engineer Battalion deployed from the Republic of Vietnam, arriving at Camp Pendleton, California on 1 August. While awaiting the arrival of its parent organization, it was attached to Provisional Service Battalion on 11 August and remained there until detached on 11 September to rejoin the 9th Engineer Battalion.
The battalion with Headquarters Company, Service Company and Company B departed Danang on 24 August 1970 aboard the USS Juneau (LPD-10), arriving at Long Bench, Claifornia, and joining the 5th Marine Amphibious Brigade at Camp Pendelton on 11 September. Immediately operations began for deactivation of the 9th Engineer Battalion. On 6 October the battalion came under operational control and administrative control of the 7th.