372nd Military Police Company (United States)

Last updated

372nd Military Police Company
USAMPC-Branch-Insignia.svg
Active15 October 1942 – 14 June 1945
26 June 1947 – 15 June 1959
22 February 1972 – present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
AllegianceFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Branch Military Police Corps
TypeSeparate company
Garrison/HQ Cumberland, Maryland
Engagements World War II: EAME: Naples-Foggia; Southern France; Rhineland; Central Europe
Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait; Cease Fire.

The 372nd Military Police Company is Military Police Corps unit of the United States Army Reserve. It is based out of Cresaptown, Maryland. [1] Eleven former members of the unit were charged and found guilty of war crimes in connection to the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal during the Iraq War. [2] Another member of the unit, Joe Darby, was awarded the Profile in Courage Award by the Kennedy family for exposing the prisoner abuse. The unit is credited with the capture and stabilization of the city of Hillah along with the 1st Marine Regiment. It was also responsible for guarding main supply routes used by American forces in Iraq.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Unit history

Three team leaders from the 372nd MP Company check their maps to coordinate patrol areas along convoy routes outside of Dammam, Saudi Arabia November 1990. 372 MPs during Operation Desert Sheild.jpg
Three team leaders from the 372nd MP Company check their maps to coordinate patrol areas along convoy routes outside of Dammam, Saudi Arabia November 1990.

The 372nd Military Police Company was originally activated on 15 October 1942 in Florence, Arizona under the authority of the Ninth Service Command. The unit was given orders in mid-July 1943 to report to Camp Shanks, near Orangeburg, New York for shipment to Italy in support of the Naples-Foggia Campaign. The unit also supported the Fifth Army in the Rome-Arno Campaign that began on 22 January 1944 and ended 4 June 1944. The unit has participated in Operation Dragoon in France, Operation Nordwind. The unit was deactivated on 14 November 1945 and then reactivated in Baltimore, Maryland on 26 June 1947. The unit was then relocated to Cumberland, Maryland on South Centre Street. The unit was then deactivated on 15 June 1959. The unit was then redesignated Bravo Company of the 336th Military Police Battalion. In January 1964 members of the unit provided site security and acted as guides to the area for the B-52 which crashed in Garrett County. The Unit was then reactivated on 22 February 1972 once again as the 372nd Military Police Company as part of the First Army. The unit drilled at the VFW Hall in Lonaconing, Maryland. On 30 June 1973 the unit shifted its location to Cresaptown, Maryland, where it shared the reserve center with the 265th Ordnance Company. In the mid-1970s the unit recruited its first female military police officer. In 1985 a platoon size element was selected for duty in Operation Bright Star in Egypt and Jordan. In 1986 the entire company was selected to participate in Gallant Eagle in California. Then unit was then activated again on 25 September 1990 for Operation Desert Storm.

US Military Police officer restraining and sedating prisoner, while a soldier holds him down Abu Ghraib 91.jpg
US Military Police officer restraining and sedating prisoner, while a soldier holds him down

During the Iraq War, several detainees at Abu Ghraib prison were abused and humiliated, some of them quite a few times. Charles Graner, Lynndie England, Sabrina Harman and others were later investigated and made to serve time in a military prison. [2]

Lineage

Honors

Campaign participation credit

  1. Naples-Foggia;
  2. Rome-Arno;
  3. Southern France (with arrowhead);
  4. Rhineland;
  5. Ardennes-Alsace;
  6. Central Europe
  1. Defense of Saudi Arabia;
  2. Liberation of Kuwait;
  3. Cease-Fire
  4. Operation Noble Eagle 2001–2002
  5. Operation Enduring Freedom 2001–2003
  6. Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003–2004
  7. Operation Enduring Freedom 2010–2011
  8. Operation Enduring Freedom 2016–2017

Unit Awards

StreamerAwardYear(s)Additional Info
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal streamer.png European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign 1942–1945 Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe
Streamer WWII V.PNG World War II Victory 1945 World War II
Streamer NDS.PNG National Defense Service Streamer 1942–1945, 1990–1991, 2003–2004, 2010–2011 World War II, Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
Streamer SAS.PNG Southwest Asia Service 1990–1991 Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Southwest Asia Cease-Fire
Iraq Campaign streamer (USMC).svg Iraq Campaign 2003–2004 Operation Iraqi Freedom
Streamer AFGCS.PNG Afghanistan Campaign 2010–2011 Operation Enduring Freedom

Decorations

See also

Notes

  1. "372nd Military Police Company likely heading back to Iraq » Local News » Cumberland Times-News". 13 April 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010.
  2. 1 2 Library, C. N. N. "Iraq Prison Abuse Scandal Fast Facts". CNN.
  3. "372nd MP Company Coming Home To Western Md". 30 April 2011.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynndie England</span> United States Army soldier convicted of abusing Iraqi prisoners

Lynndie Rana England is a former United States Army Reserve soldier who was prosecuted for mistreating detainees during the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse that occurred at the Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad during the Iraq War. She was one of 11 military personnel from the 372nd Military Police Company who were convicted in 2005 for war crimes. After being sentenced to three years in prison and a dishonorable discharge, England was incarcerated from September 27, 2005, to March 1, 2007, when she was released on parole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Graner</span> Soldier convicted of prisoner abuse (born 1968)

Charles A. Graner Jr. is an American former soldier and corrections officer who was court-martialed for prisoner abuse after the 2003–2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. Along with other soldiers of his Army Reserve unit, the 372nd Military Police Company, Graner was accused of allowing and inflicting sexual, physical, and psychological abuse on Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghraib prison, a notorious prison in Baghdad during the United States' occupation of Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sabrina Harman</span> Soldier convicted of prisoner abuse (born 1978)

Sabrina D. Harman is an American former soldier who was court-martialed by the United States Army for prisoner abuse after the 2003–2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. Along with other soldiers of her Army Reserve unit, the 372nd Military Police Company, she was accused of allowing and inflicting physical and psychological abuse on Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghraib prison, a notorious prison in Baghdad during the United States' occupation of Iraq.

Megan Ambuhl is a former United States Army Reserve soldier who was convicted of dereliction of duty for her role in the prisoner abuse that occurred at Abu Ghraib prison, a notorious prison in Baghdad during the United States' occupation of Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ivan Frederick</span> American soldier convicted of prisoner abuse

Ivan "Chip" Frederick II is an American former soldier who was court-martialed for prisoner abuse after the 2003–2004 Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal. Along with other soldiers of his Army Reserve unit, the 372nd Military Police Company, Frederick was accused of allowing and inflicting sexual, physical, and psychological abuse on Iraqi detainees in Abu Ghraib prison, a notorious prison in Baghdad during the United States' occupation of Iraq. In May 2004, Frederick pleaded guilty to conspiracy, dereliction of duty, maltreatment of detainees, assault, and indecent acts. He was sentenced to 8 years' confinement and loss of rank and pay, and he received a dishonorable discharge. He was released on parole in October 2007, after spending four years in prison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">519th Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)</span> Military unit

The 519th Military Intelligence Battalion is a unit of the United States Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">205th Infantry Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 205th Infantry Brigade, was first formed as part of the United States Army Reserve's 103rd Division. It was active from 1921 to 1942 and then from 1963 through 1994, and then reformed in 2006.

The 229th Aviation Regiment is an aviation unit of the United States Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">220th Military Police Brigade</span> Inactive US Army Reserve unit

The 220th Military Police Brigade is a former military police brigade of the United States Army, which was headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It was Reserve Component formation of the U.S. Army Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">412th Engineer Command (United States)</span> Engineering command within the U.S. Army Reserve Command

The 412th Theater Engineer Command is a United States Army Reserve unit that conducts theater-level engineer operations for Eighth U.S. Army, Korea; U.S. Army Europe; and U.S. Army Pacific, supports continental U.S. – based engineer requirements as directed, and is prepared to participate in Joint and Combined regional contingency operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">420th Engineer Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 420th Engineer Brigade (Corps) is a combat engineer brigade of the United States Army based in Bryan, Texas. It is a United States Army Reserve formation and is subordinate to the 416th Theater Engineer Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">372nd Engineer Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 372nd Engineer Brigade is a combat engineer brigade of the United States Army based in Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Recently converted from the 372nd Engineer Group which traces its lineage back to World War II, the brigade was activated on 16 September 2008. It is a United States Army Reserve formation and is subordinate to the 416th Theater Engineer Command out of Darien, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">926th Engineer Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 926th Engineer Brigade is a United States Army Reserve combat engineer brigade. The unit transformed from a group size and returned from a tour in Iraq in late 2008. It is part of the 412th Engineer Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">74th Troop Command (United States)</span> Military unit

The 74th Troop Command is a brigade-level command of the District of Columbia Army National Guard that provides logistical and administrative support for nonorganic deploying MTOE units in the District that are not structured under another formation headquarters (HQ). It is the largest direct reporting unit in the District of Columbia Army National Guard. The Command is a subordinate of Joint Force Headquarters, District Area Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">397th Engineer Battalion (United States)</span> Military unit

The 397th Engineer Battalion is a multi-role engineer battalion of the United States Army based in Marina, California. Activated 18 May 1959 at Eau Claire, the battalion traces its lineage back to World War II. It is a United States Army Reserve formation and is subordinate to the 301st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Joint Base Lewis McCord WA.

The 67th Armored Regiment is an armored regiment in the United States Army. The regiment was first formed in 1929 in the Regular Army as the 2nd Tank Regiment (Heavy) and redesignated as the 67th Infantry Regiment (Medium Tanks) in 1932. It first became the 67th Armor in 1940. The regiment participated in World War I, World War II, Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Spartan Shield, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Resolute Support, and Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">103rd Armor Regiment</span> Military unit

The 103rd Armor Regiment is an armored regiment in the Pennsylvania National Guard first formed in 1941. Its legacy unit, 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor, is a subordinate command of the 55th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">470th Military Intelligence Brigade (United States)</span> American military intelligence unit

The 470th Military Intelligence Brigade is a unit of the United States Army and subordinate to the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. Its mission is to provide tailored, multi-disciplined intelligence and counter-intelligence in support of United States Army South (ARSOUTH) and United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). The 470th is headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, Texas with subordinate battalions located in Texas and Florida. Elements of the 470th have participated in Operation Just Cause and have deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">107th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)</span> Military unit

The 107th Field Artillery Regiment is a Field Artillery Branch regiment of the United States Army. It has been affiliated with the Pennsylvania National Guard since its formation. It appears that the regiment last formally came into existence in June 1959, when the 107th Field Artillery Battalion was reorganized as the new Regiment's 1st Battalion in line with the Pentomic (ROCID) reorganization going on at that time.

The 169th Military Police Company is an independent company of military police of the Rhode Island National Guard. It is a subordinate unit of the 118th Military Police Battalion and the 43rd Military Police Brigade. It is the oldest unit of the Rhode Island National Guard and one of the oldest units in the United States Army, and is one of several National Guard units with colonial roots.