C003224

Shield shaped, bronze colored coin, 2 inches high x 1 1/2 inches wide.

SIDE 1 - The 9th Communication Battalion insignia - a shield split in a Y configuration, black above, red on the left, and yellow on the right, surmounted by a gold number, "9TH" and lightning bolt at the division of the 3 fields, and, below, "COMMUNICATION BATTALION" ; all superimposed on a white shield with the words, "PROFESSIONALISM" above, "FLEXIBILITY" left, and "RELIABILITY" right.

SIDE 2 - A brass-colored shield with a Lieutenant Colonel's and Sergeant Major's insignias of rank at the top, "PRESENTED FOR EXCELLENCE" at the center, and the USMC's Eagle, Globe, and Anchhor at the bottom; all superimposed on a larger shield with, "USMC" top, "HEAR THE COMM" left, and "BEFORE THE STORM" right.

Journal - Page 80 - Line 27

9th Communication Battalion (9th Comm) is a communications battalion in the United States Marine Corps. It is part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. 9th Comm has made four, year long deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF. They deployed to Kuwait in late 2002 and subsequently took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. After that they have spent year long deployments for OIF during 2004, 2006 and 2008. 9th Comm has also participated in multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom OEF. Their cumulative deployments saw the installation, operation, and maintenance of the largest enterprise network ever established by a Marine Corps unit aboard Camp Leatherneck. 9th Comm's presence on Camp Leatherneck lasted until the end of operations in October 2014 when the camp was turned over to Afghan control.