I found a lighter at a rummage sale just wondering if anyone knows anything about this, above the bird it reads "STRIKING" and beneath that "THIRD BATTALION NINTH MARINES" "VIET-NAM" and has the red shield in the middle with a lightning bolt through a 9...
replied to: lenzo17
Replied to: I found a lighter at a rummage sale just wondering if...
I served as a Rifle Platoon Commander with 3/9 during the Vietnam War. The lighter must have belonged to a Marine that served with the 3rd battalion 9th Regiment.
The 9th Marine regiment was a part of the 3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War. There are 3 Battalions in a Marine Regiment, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Each had an motto.
1st Battalion were known as "the walking dead". I can't remember 2nd battalion's motto. "striking 3/9" was 3rd Battalions motto. Go to
Operation Dewey Canyon Lt henry Gross on your web browser to see what they were involved in during the last portion of their time during the Vietnam War.
Henry Gross
