Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The 9th Division was reactivated on 1 February 1966, and arrived in South Vietnam on 16 December 1966 from Fort Riley, Kansas. On deployment the division was assigned to the III Corps Tactical Zone of Vietnam where it commenced operations in Dinh Tuong and Long An Provinces (6 January-31 May 1967) in Operation Palm Beach. Its area of operations was in the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta from 1967 to 1972. Operating deep within the Viet Cong (VC)–controlled Delta, the Division was charged with protecting the area and its population against VC insurgents and ensuring the success of the South Vietnamese government's pacification program. Faced with unrelenting physical hardships, a tenacious enemy and the region's rugged terrain, the Division established strategies and quantifiable goals for completing their mission.

This is an outstandingly-scarce flag depicting the insignia of the 9th Infantry Division, on a blue and red field over the number 1. There is a quartermaster tag in the header reading:

DPSG
DIR. OF MFG.
FLAG DIST. 3’x4’
HQ 1st BDE.
9TH INF. DIV.
12/4/68

The flag measures 3 x 4 feet and has great fringe along the edges. The 1st Brigade earned the following decoration: Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DINH TUONG PROVINCE (1st Brigade Only) (Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, cited; DA GO 60, 1969).

From 1967 on, the 2d Brigade of the division was the Army contingent of the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF). This brigade lived on the ships of Navy Task Force 117, and were transported on their infantry missions throughout the Mekong Delta on Tango boats (converted landing craft) supported by various other armored boats. The MRF was often anchored near the South Vietnamese city of Mỹ Tho, or near the Division's Đồng Tâm Base Camp and they conducted operations in coordination with the Navy SEAL teams, the South Vietnamese Marines, units of the ARVN 7th Division and River Assault Groups. Following the Tet Offensive in 1968, General Westmoreland stated that the Division and the MRF saved the Delta region from falling to the People's Army of Vietnam forces. In 1969, the division also operated throughout IV Corps.

This flag would have been flown throughout 1969 during the final year of the division’s time in Vietnam. There is some staining as shown and heavy wear, but for a flag that was without a doubt flown in Vietnam with the Division, this is in great condition with retained fringe!

Perfect for the collection of any 9th ID veteran! Ready to frame and display!