Honor the past.
Forge a future.
The Walking Dead is more than a name. It's a legacy. It's a badge of survival, of tenacity, of sacrifice, of honor. It's a living memory.
The moniker was bestowed upon the 1/9 in Vietnam, used by the enemy to sow fear. That was to be their fate. They were the dead walking. It was a name rich in loss. The 1/9 had the highest casualty rate of any unit in the Vietnam War. Brothers, fathers, friends, Marines, who walk no longer. But we remember.
It became a mark of resilience and pride. A name recognized and respected across the Marine Corps. The 1/9 could overcome anything. And we remember.
Now, The Walking Dead is more than a name. It's a brotherhood, it's a history, it's a future. Whether you fought for the name or uphold its legacy, you are The Walking Dead. And we always walk together.
Mission, purpose, vision
What we are here to do
To recognize, celebrate, and support proud veterans of the 1/9, helping them shape a purposeful future while still honoring the legacy of the past.
The why behind what we do
To serve veterans of the 1/9 as they served us, helping them discover their purpose, live beyond a legacy, and thrive outside the military.
The future we aspire to
To be the leading not-for-profit veterans association in America, the model and standard for all future organizations.
Five pillars of 1/9
Legacy
We honor the history of our unit, our veterans, and our stories while building a purposeful future.
Camaraderie
A brotherhood of trust, forged from shared experience and a single purpose. We share the work, we share the victory.
Proud
We’re proud of our service and that of our brothers, and we aren’t shy about sharing it.
Human
Marines, not machines. We want to be seen for the people we are, not our circumstances or statistics.
Respected
Everyone who connects with 1/9 should feel seen, recognized, and respected.