9th Inf. Rgt. "Manchus"

[2ndInf.Div.]

A friend of mine gave me these along with a bunch of 2nd ID patches. I don't know much about these other than all but one have "G23" on the back, which I think means they are current issue. The other one is made by N.S. Meyer, which I recognize from most of the collar brass I encounter. I also received a belt buckle that has the Manchu on it.

[2ndInf.Div.]

The crest made by N.S. Meyer

[patches]

Does the G23 ones have the Made in USA on them as well ?

[BigJohn#3RD]

Nice Start, Thanks for sharing.

John

[Manchu Warrior]

The belt buckle you have was given as an award for walking the "Manchu Mile." The Manchu Mile is actually a 25 mile road march through the mountains of the ROK with full combat load. The 9th Infantry does two a year and I had the pleasure of being there for both of them. All I kept asking myself was, "We are a mechanized infantry unit so why the hell are we walking?" The Mile is to commemorate the 90 mile march that the 9th did back during the Boxer Rebellion back around 1900 in China. If I said I had fun doing the march it would be less then honest. But it sure was one hell of an experience because it really was trough some bad a-- mountains. As far as the buckle is concerned there are several different versions of it. I had an a uncle who was stationed in Korea back in 1968. He was also in the 9th and his buckle was all one piece. The one you have is the same one that I have and it is actually two pieces. It is a class A buckle that has had the 9th Infantry plate attached to it. I am not sure how long they used the version we both have but I walked my Manchu Miles back in 1996-97. So, it at least dates to that period or earlier and I do believe that they have since changed the design of the buckle. I do remember looking at a web site with all the different designs and I will see if I can find it.

[2ndInf.Div.]

There was no "Made in USA", just the G23. If it helps any I took a picture of the back of the buckle.

[patches]

Thats something fairlly new, the Manchu buckle as an award or a qualification badge, in my day 81-82 in the 4/9 Inf, you just wore it, you had to get one one the very first day in the unit, either though the company suppy room for free ( if you did get it though suppy, it was entered on you records and had to be turned in when leaving the unit) or buying it at the PX ( if you did this, you may keep it). In those days I never heard of it then or in the past as being an "Award", it was a item of unit insignia that one must have. I myself got my Manchu Buckle from a fomer 4/9th member, an E-5 at Fort Hood, this Sergeant heard I was PCS-ing to Fort Wainwright, and rightly assumed I will be going to this unit ( though I could have been easily assigned to the Brigade Recon unit which was posted at Wainwright, E Troop 1/1 Cavalry), in any event I went up there with this buckle. Upon checking it with my Platoon over in A Company I was filled in on this by new Platoon Sergeant, I said I alerady have one, GOOD ! he said, now get unit crests, AND tommorow morning at formation both your unit crests and your buckle WILL be highly shined, shined like your brass you wear on your Class A of Khakis, the DIs as you know in those days were worn with Fatique items, on the soft cap and if wearing the field jacket, on the shoulder loops of the field jacket. The buckle was worn allways, even in the field, the story whether ture or not goes that the other two Battalions of the 172nd Infantry Brigade the 4/23 and 1/60 Infantry were givin a 3 day pass IF they captured a Manchu when they would be aggressing against or visa versa, and did succesfully GET the Buckle off the "POW".

 

The G23 by itself with no Made in USA is good, you then can date these DIs from 1965-1974, afterwhich Made in the USA was required to be put on all U.S. Made DUIs, the one in the unopened package I bet will have the Made in USA on them as it looks like a new or contemporary item, note the BAR CODE there. Your Buckle is very nice with it being also by Ira Green, note the IG in the shield, no idea though when Ira Green used this logo, 50s though the 60s would be my guess. Mine which I still have and which I can see on a shelf as I type is made by DOMAR , with U.S. on the bottom of DOMAR.

[Manchu Warrior]

Thats something fairlly new, the Manchu buckle as an award or a qualification badge, in my day 81-82 in the 4/9 Inf, you just wore it, you had to get one one the very first day in the unit, either though the company suppy room for free ( if you did get it though suppy, it was entered on you records and had to be turned in when leaving the unit) or buying it at the PX ( if you did this, you may keep it). In those days I never heard of it then or in the past as being an "Award", it was a item of unit insignia that one must have. I myself got my Manchu Buckle from a fomer 4/9th member, an E-5 at Fort Hood, this Sergeant heard I was PCS-ing to Fort Wainwright, and rightly assumed I will be going to this unit ( though I could have been easily assigned to the Brigade Recon unit which was posted at Wainwright, E Troop 1/1 Cavalry), in any event I went up there with this buckle. Upon checking it with my Platoon over in A Company I was filled in on this by new Platoon Sergeant, I said I alerady have one, GOOD ! he said, now get unit crests, AND tommorow morning at formation both your unit crests and your buckle WILL be highly shined, shined like your brass you wear on your Class A of Khakis, the DIs as you know in those days were worn with Fatique items, on the soft cap and if wearing the field jacket, on the shoulder loops of the field jacket. The buckle was worn allways, even in the field, the story whether ture or not goes that the other two Battalions of the 172nd Infantry Brigade the 4/23 and 1/60 Infantry were givin a 3 day pass IF they captured a Manchu when they would be aggressing against or visa versa, and did succesfully GET the Buckle off the "POW".

 

The G23 by itself with no Made in USA is good, you then can date these DIs from 1965-1974, afterwhich Made in the USA was required to be put on all U.S. Made DUIs, the one in the unopened package I bet will have the Made in USA on them as it looks like a new or contemporary item, note the BAR CODE there. Your Buckle is very nice with it being also by Ira Green, note the IG in the shield, no idea though when Ira Green used this logo, 50s though the 60s would be my guess. Mine which I still have and which I can see on a shelf as I type is made by DOMAR , with U.S. on the bottom of DOMAR.

I am not sure when the tradition started but you had to complete at least one Manchu Mile to be able to wear the buckle. And after you completed a second mile they gave you a certificate of achievement. Mine is signed by my Battalion Commander then Lt. Col. and now Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks. The information below came from the following site. http://www.manchu.org/linage/buckle/

 

The buckle worn by todays Manchus could be considered an award buckle of sorts. Manchus must earn the right to wear the buckle. To earn this right a Manchu must complete the Manchu Mile, an overnight 25 mile tactical march, with full gear and weapon. This Manchu Mile commemorates the 85 mile march the 9th regiment completed in early July 1900, from Taku Bar to Tientsin for their assault on Tientsin on July 13, 1900. Those Manchus who complete this march receive and are authorized to wear the Manchu buckle. If a soldier completes three Manchu Miles during his tour of duty in Korea, he is awarded the Army Achievement Medal as well. The Manchu Mile is held about once a quarter, depending on unit operations other commitments etc. Those personnel who are attached to or work with the Manchus (such as Air Force "TACP," Tactical Air Control Party, and members of the "ROMAD," Recon Mark and Destroy), may also take part in the Manchu Mile and win the Manchu Buckle. Todays Manchus will proudly tell you they have walked the "Manchu Mile," and earned their buckle.

[atb]

Maybe an awarded item for just that battalion of the 9th Inf. I remember in Alaska in 1972 seeing the troops of the 6th (then they became the 4th) of the 9th Inf. wearing their buckles right after arriving at the unit. And, they were for sale in the Ft. Wainwright PX. I remember them, too, in Korea in 1983-1984, and I don't believe they were given as an award at that time either.

[patches]

I am not sure when the tradition started but you had to complete at least one Manchu Mile to be able to wear the buckle. And after you completed a second mile they gave you a certificate of achievement. Mine is signed by my Battalion Commander then Lt. Col. and now Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks. The information below came from the following site. http://www.manchu.org/linage/buckle/

 

The buckle worn by todays Manchus could be considered an award buckle of sorts. Manchus must earn the right to wear the buckle. To earn this right a Manchu must complete the Manchu Mile, an overnight 25 mile tactical march, with full gear and weapon. This Manchu Mile commemorates the 85 mile march the 9th regiment completed in early July 1900, from Taku Bar to Tientsin for their assault on Tientsin on July 13, 1900. Those Manchus who complete this march receive and are authorized to wear the Manchu buckle. If a soldier completes three Manchu Miles during his tour of duty in Korea, he is awarded the Army Achievement Medal as well. The Manchu Mile is held about once a quarter, depending on unit operations other commitments etc. Those personnel who are attached to or work with the Manchus (such as Air Force "TACP," Tactical Air Control Party, and members of the "ROMAD," Recon Mark and Destroy), may also take part in the Manchu Mile and win the Manchu Buckle. Todays Manchus will proudly tell you they have walked the "Manchu Mile," and earned their buckle.

 

So if I am to understand the Buckle can not be worn at all in Battalions of the 9th Infantry unless this march is completed ? we had a Manch mile up in Alaska, it was dug out and laid out in the back country behind the Barracks areas in the Spring of 1982, but here you had to run though it, it was sometimes done for regular PT, but there was nothing involving the Buckle, runs were also made around the Airfield, the old Ladd Air force Base field now ( 70s-early 80s )used of course by the 222nd Aviation Battalion and for Air Force C-130 and C-141 Lifts that would fly in and take the combat units out to field problems when required.

[Sabrejet]

[patches]

Maybe an awarded item for just that battalion of the 9th Inf. I remember in Alaska in 1972 seeing the troops of the 6th (then they became the 4th) of the 9th Inf. wearing their buckles right after arriving at the unit. And, they were for sale in the Ft. Wainwright PX. I remember them, too, in Korea in 1983-1984, and I don't believe they were given as an award at that time either.

 

Indeed, one was LUCKY if he got one from supply as they have been shined a gizzllion times by the former owners, so it didn't take much to get them looking 1A when one drew one, I was in the same boat having had a previously used one, but the ones brand new from the PX ? fuggedaboutit, they were a bitch to shine at first, you had to spen a couple of hours a day for a few days to remove that black antiquing/wash, the new DIs the same deal, this is were I got hit, I had no DIs and hade to buy them the day I arrived at the PX, maybe I should have tried supply for them DIs, but as I found out, both Buckles and DIs from supply had to be turned in upon proccesing out, that was the draw back, then if you wanted these two items as keep sakes, you would wind up buying them anyway at the PX to bring home, but I didn't have such problems, one guy did, a 4 year man, he was leaving going on to his 3rd tour down at Ord's 7th Division in Feburary 82 and got new a Buckle and DIs at the PX, he got his from supply and HAD to turn his in, wanting to wear his Class A back home for leave before moving on to Ord, he had to get new ones, this was the first time I was made aware that these items had to be turned in.

[Manchu Warrior]

So if I am to understand the Buckle can not be worn at all in Battalions of the 9th Infantry unless this march is completed ? we had a Manch mile up in Alaska, it was dug out and laid out in the back country behind the Barracks areas in the Spring of 1982, but here you had to run though it, it was sometimes done for regular PT, but there was nothing involving the Buckle, runs were also made around the Airfield, the old Ladd Air force Base field now ( 70s-early 80s )used of course by the 222nd Aviation Battalion and for Air Force C-130 and C-141 Lifts that would fly in and take the combat units out to field problems when required.

I honestly have no idea about other Battalions but I do know that the 2nd Battalion of the 9th Infantry at Camp Casey, Korea did not let you wear the buckle unless you earned it, you had to complete the Manchu Mile or no belt buckle. The link is a recent Stars & Stripes article about the Manchu Mile. In the article it states that each Company had to start and finish as a whole. I don't remember that and I know for a fact that not everyone in my platoon finished the march much less the whole company, it really was an incredible a-- kicker. On a side note after the buckle was given to me I wore it the rest of the time I was in the Army. When I was in a different unit my Platoon Sergeant noticed that I was wearing it and he told me to take it off because it was unauthorized. Our 1st Sgt told him that I earned the buckle and therefore he had no problem with me wearing it so I kept on wearing my Manchu belt buckle.

http://korea.stripes.com/content/soldiers-...g-25-mile-march

[atb]

Here are three that I have acuired over the years. The large "round" one is from the pre-WW2 era and was worn on the leather garrison belt. The other two are from the 1980's for web trousers belts. The one on the left is marked N.S. Meyer and was purchased at the Ft. Myer, VA Clothing Sales Store. The larger one is from Korea and was the type issued to troops of the 9th Inf. at that time.

[Manchu Warrior]

Here are three that I have acuired over the years. The large "round" one is from the pre-WW2 era and was worn on the leather garrison belt. The other two are from the 1980's for web trousers belts. The one on the left is marked N.S. Meyer and was purchased at the Ft. Myer, VA Clothing Sales Store. The larger one is from Korea and was the type issued to troops of the 9th Inf. at that time.

I really like the belt buckles and someday and I hope to have one of each in my collection. I believe they now have a different design that actually looks more like the oldest one that you have.

[patches]

I would love to get buckle # 2 in the group below, the one from the 50s-60s.

[Manchu Warrior]

I would love to get buckle # 2 in the group below, the one from the 50s-60s.

That is the type that my uncle had. He was stationed at Camp Casey back in 1968 and he was there when the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea.

[patches]

You know something just occured to me, in todays Army one can wear the buckle but it can not be seen, unless one wears that Class B uniform right ? but how many times is that really worn, the standard everyday uniform is the ACU, or whatever they have now. This started to happen to us way back when in the spring of 1982 when we bought the new BDUs, not only could our buckles no longer be seen but also no more DIs, DIs being prohibited from being worn on the BDU soft cap, they still could be worn on the shoulder loops of the OG field jacket, but that too very soon faded away with the adoption of the woodland field jackets. It was an end of an era I would say, one that went back about 30 years with the advent of the badged up Fatigues of the Korean and post Korean war period, true the Army went all subdued offcially in late 1968 Army Wide but the continued wear of the DIs on the Soft Cap and shoulder loops of the field jackets gave a little flair to an otherwise drab uniform and was very popular. In those days, as much as we were anxious for the new BDUs to become available we were sad to see the wear of our DIs go.

[2ndInf.Div.]

Some very interesting info guys, thank you all so much! I'm starting to focus my collection on mostly Korea with a bit of WWII so it's nice to have at least one of the crests be from WWII/Korea!

[Flashlarue]

I have a 9th Inf. buckle that I am wondering if it is correct and original. It is 2 1/2 inches tall and 2 1/4 inches wide. I don't recognize the belt fastener and can't understand how it would work. There appears to be some red paint on the front that I haven't touched and a bit of gold paint or plating visible on the back. Is this a 1926 version of the buckle?

 

[Flashlarue]

Link to Manchu Org. web site showing back of original 1926 buckle.

 

http://www.manchu.org/linage/CarlsCollection/buckle2.htm

 

Looks to be the same as the one I have.

[patches]

Yeah yours is perfectly fine.

[Manchuvet]

I would love to get buckle # 2 in the group below, the one from the 50s-60s.

 

I was with 4/9th Reg, 25th ID in Vietnam 1969. I have a collection of buckles and DIs. I have 2 extra of the #2 buckle you mention. These were not regulation issue. They were issed during the Korean war until 1968 in Vietnam. Then went to the current rectangle buckle you get today from the Manchu Mile. The only difference is the color. Ours was a darker copper/brass and the ones today have a blackish background and high shine on the edge.

 

Mike

[Manchuvet]

The crest made by N.S. Meyer

 

N.S. Meyer (DOD ID # M-22) was one of several military contracted to make medals, DIs, buckles, etc. They started military production in 1974 and still make items today along with Ira Green (G-23) and Vanguard (V).

[Manchuvet]

The belt buckle you have was given as an award for walking the "Manchu Mile." The Manchu Mile is actually a 25 mile road march through the mountains of the ROK with full combat load. The 9th Infantry does two a year and I had the pleasure of being there for both of them. All I kept asking myself was, "We are a mechanized infantry unit so why the hell are we walking?" The Mile is to commemorate the 90 mile march that the 9th did back during the Boxer Rebellion back around 1900 in China. If I said I had fun doing the march it would be less then honest. But it sure was one hell of an experience because it really was trough some bad a-- mountains. As far as the buckle is concerned there are several different versions of it. I had an a uncle who was stationed in Korea back in 1968. He was also in the 9th and his buckle was all one piece. The one you have is the same one that I have and it is actually two pieces. It is a class A buckle that has had the 9th Infantry plate attached to it. I am not sure how long they used the version we both have but I walked my Manchu Miles back in 1996-97. So, it at least dates to that period or earlier and I do believe that they have since changed the design of the buckle. I do remember looking at a web site with all the different designs and I will see if I can find it.

 

This particular buckle looks to be from the Vietnam era. You will notice how dark it is and had the look of copper. The Manchu Mile buckle has a blackish background and a highlt polished edge and high points. This buckle is just like the one I received in Vietnam in 1969 while with the 4/9th Reg, 25th ID. I've added a picture of the new buckle so you can compare with the one above.

 

KUTF