720th Military Police Battalion

Last updated
720th Military Police Battalion
720mp.gif
Distinctive unit insignia
Active10 January 1942–present
CountryUnited States
Branch Active duty
Type Military police
Size Battalion
Part of 89th Military Police Brigade
Garrison/HQ Fort Cavazos, Texas
Nickname(s)"Soldiers of the Gauntlet"
Motto(s)"Orderly Regulation"
Engagements World War II
Vietnam War
Gulf War
Iraq War
Commanders
Current
commander
LTC Meagan R. Williams
Notable
commanders
MG Albert R. Escola
BG Stephen J. Curry
COL Anthony Stamillio
BG Rodney L. Johnson
BG David D. Phillips

The 720th Military Police Battalion is a military police battalion of the United States Army based at Fort Cavazos, Texas. It is a subordinate unit under the Training and Readiness Authority of the 89th Military Police Brigade. [1] Constituted on 10 January 1942 in the Army as the 720th Military Police Battalion, it was activated during the Second World War at Fort Meade, Maryland on 20 January 1942. The battalion served during that time while stationed in Australia and New Guinea. From there it was relocated to Yokohama, Japan on 2 September 1945 until it finally moved to Fort Hood, Texas on 21 February 1955.

Contents

Mission statement

720th Military Police Battalion protects III Corps readiness by conducting Law Enforcement operations to neutralize terrorist and criminal threats at Fort Cavazos, TX. Additionally, on order, execute detention operations, police operations, and security and mobility support in support of Decisive Action for COCOM (Combatant Commander) requirements.[ citation needed ]

Organization

The battalion is subordinate to the 89th Military Police Brigade. It is headquartered at Fort Cavazos, Texas.

The battalion consists of four military police companies, a law and order detachment, a military working dog detachment and a headquarters and headquarters detachment:

History

World War II

The 720th Military Police Battalion, "Soldiers of the Gauntlet," was first constituted on 10 January 1942 in the Regular Army as the 720th Military Police Battalion. It was activated during World II at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland on 20 January 1942. The Battalion served in three major campaigns during the Second World War while based in Australia and New Guine. At the start of the U. S. occupation of Japan in 1945, the four line companies and headquarters detachment of the 720th Battalion were sent to Tokyo and quartered in the abandoned Japanese espionage school in Nakano. In 1948, the facility was renamed Camp Burness in memory of a Battalion member who had died in a plane crash near New Guinea during the War. Later that year, after a fire destroyed the "B" Company barracks, the Battalion was moved to the former Japanese Imperial Navy Academy in the Tsukiji area of Tokyo. The Battalion relocated to Fort Hood, Texas on 21 February 1955. [2]

Korean War

In 1950, at the start of the Korean War, the X Corps MP Company (Provisional) was formed when C Company was reflagged, filled their TO&E with volunteers from A and B Company, and sent to Korea where it served with distinction, earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Vietnam War

From October 1966-August 1972 the battalion served in South Vietnam, III & IV Corps Tactical Zones, subordinate to the 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade. They performed convoy escort, POW guard/escort, highway security, physical security, and were the first MP unit in the history of the US Armed Forces to perform a three-year infantry counterinsurgency pacification mission, from 1967-1970. Operation Stabilize included Ambush & Reconnaissance, Village Outpost's, River Patrol. Another MP Corps historical first was to direct air, armor, and infantry support for B Company (AKA Bushwhackers) Ambush Teams defending Long Binh Post during the 23 February Tet 1969 attack. On 13 August 1972 the battalion was sent stateside to Ft Hood, Texas assigned to 5th Army. Where in 1974 it was assigned the III Corps.

Post-Cold War

Between 1990 and 1997 Battalion elements deployed to Kuwait for Operation Desert Shield/Storm, in support of Operation Intrinsic Action; Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope; Honduras and Guantanamo Bay; and Cuba for Operation Sea Signal, in support of Joint Task Force 160. Elements also deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of Operation Joint Endeavor/Guard and Joint Forge.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

The soldiers of the 720th were deployed to Iraq from March 2003 to March 2004, where they operated mainly in Tikrit and Samarra in support of the 4th Infantry Division. They performed many military police missions, including area security, convoy escort, and detainee operations. They also started a program of joint operations with the Iraqi police. [3]

Operation Enduring Freedom

The 410th Military Police Company deployed to Afghanistan in May 2009 and returned in May 2010. The 401st and 64th Military Police Companies deployed to Afghanistan in May 2010 and returned in April 2011. The 411th Military Police Company deployed to Kandahar Province in May 2011 and returned to Fort Hood in May 2012. HHD, 720th Military Police Battalion deployed in December 2011 and returned in December 2012.

Battalion crest and coat of arms

The coat of arms was originally approved on 2 May 1952. It was cancelled on 19 July 1973. On 11 August 1999 the coat of arms was reinstated and amended to include a crest. The Distinctive Unit Insignia is a gold color metal and enamel insignia 1 5/32 inches (2.94 cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Vert, a dexter gauntlet in fess Or grasping an imp, head to base, Sable. Attached below the shield a Gold color metal scroll inscribed "ORDERLY REGULATION" in Green enamel letters. The golden restraining hand grasping the inverted black imp, which is symbolical of a petty devil or malignant spirit, is symbolical of the restraining functions of the organization, implying the means by which undesirable factions are kept under control. In the crest, the cross recalls the Cross of Gallantry awarded the unit for outstanding service in Vietnam. The sea-lion refers to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded for service between 1944 and 1945. The wreath represents honor and achievement. The drawn swords denote readiness and recall the many campaigns in which the 720th Military Police Battalion has distinguished itself. Black signifies strength and resolve. Gold symbolizes excellence, and with green represents the Military Police branch. The motto "ORDERLY REGULATION" is expressive of the determination of the personnel to regulate with order, and alludes to the charges on the shield. [4] [5]

Honors

Unit decorations

RibbonAwardYearNotes
Valorous Unit Award ribbon.svg Valorous Unit Award 2003for service in Iraq
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)1950–1954for service in Pacific Area [6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)1967–1968for service in Vietnam [6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)1968–1969for service in Vietnam [6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)1990–1991for service in Southwest Asia [6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)2004–2005for service in Iraq [6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)2007for service in Iraq [6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)2011–2012for service in Afghanistan [6]
Army Superior Unit Award ribbon.svg Superior Unit Award 1995-1996
Army Superior Unit Award ribbon.svg Superior Unit Award 2005-2006
Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.png Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation 1944–1945for service in the Philippines
Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm1966–1972for service in Vietnam [6]

Campaign streamers

ConflictStreamerYear(s)
Vietnam War Vietnam Defense1965 [6]
Vietnam WarCounteroffensive, Phase II1966–1967
Vietnam WarCounteroffensive, Phase III1967–1968
Vietnam War Tet Counteroffensive 1968
Vietnam WarCounteroffensive, Phase IV1968
Vietnam WarCounteroffensive, Phase V1968
Vietnam WarCounteroffensive, Phase VI1968–1969
Vietnam WarTet 69/Counteroffensive1969
Vietnam WarSummer–Fall 19691969
Vietnam WarWinter–Spring 19701970
Vietnam WarSanctuary Counteroffensive1970
Vietnam WarCounteroffensive, Phase VII1970–1971
Vietnam WarConsolidation I1970
Vietnam WarConsolidation II1971
Gulf War Defense of Saudi Arabia1990
Gulf WarLiberation and Defense of Kuwait1990
Gulf WarCease-Fire1991
Operation Iraqi Freedom Iraq2004–2005
Operation Iraqi FreedomIraq2006–2008

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References

  1. "89th Military Police Brigade Official Army Website" . Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  2. Pike, John. "720th Military Police Battalion". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
  3. 720th Military Police Battalion Honored with Valorous Unit Award, Engineer Professional Bulletin. Fall 2006. PB. Military Police PB 19-06-2. CPT Wendy Cook. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  4. "The Institute of Heraldry". Archived from the original on 2016-06-05.
  5. "720th Military Police Battalion Official Army Website" . Retrieved May 9, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Lineage and Honors for the 720th Military Police Battalion, United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 4 Aug 2015.