720th Military Police Battalion

The 720th Military Police Battalion is a military police battalion of the United States Army based at Fort Hood, 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.

720th Military Police Battalion
Distinctive unit insignia
Active10 January 1942–present
CountryUnited States
BranchActive duty
TypeMilitary police
SizeBattalion
Part of89th Military Police Brigade
Garrison/HQFort Hood, Texas
Nickname(s)"Soldiers of the Gauntlet"
Motto(s)"Orderly Regulation"
EngagementsWorld War II
Vietnam War
Gulf War
Iraq War
Commanders
Current
commander		LTC Michael Huey Capps
Notable
commanders		MG Albert R. Escola
BG Stephen J. Curry
COL Anthony Stamillio
BG Rodney L. Johnson
BG David D. Phillips

Mission statement

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

Organization

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

  • Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment
  • 64th Military Police Company
  • 178th/226th Military Police Detachments
  • 401st Military Police Company
  • 410th Military Police Company
  • 411th Military Police Company

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 inactivated in South Vietnam.

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
Ribbon Award Year Notes
Valorous Unit Award 2003 for service in Iraq
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 1950–1954 for service in Pacific Area[6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 1967–1968 for service in Vietnam[6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 1968–1969 for service in Vietnam[6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 1990–1991 for service in Southwest Asia[6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 2004–2005 for service in Iraq[6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 2007 for service in Iraq[6]
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) 2011–2012 for service in Afghanistan[6]
Superior Unit Award 1995-1996
Superior Unit Award 2005-2006
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation 1944–1945 for service in the Philippines
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm 1966–1972 for service in Vietnam[6]

Campaign streamers
Conflict Streamer Year(s)
Vietnam War Vietnam Defense 1965[6]
Vietnam War Counteroffensive, Phase II 1966–1967
Vietnam War Counteroffensive, Phase III 1967–1968
Vietnam War Tet Counteroffensive 1968
Vietnam War Counteroffensive, Phase IV 1968
Vietnam War Counteroffensive, Phase V 1968
Vietnam War Counteroffensive, Phase VI 1968–1969
Vietnam War Tet 69/Counteroffensive 1969
Vietnam War Summer–Fall 1969 1969
Vietnam War Winter–Spring 1970 1970
Vietnam War Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970
Vietnam War Counteroffensive, Phase VII 1970–1971
Vietnam War Consolidation I 1970
Vietnam War Consolidation II 1971
Gulf War Defense of Saudi Arabia 1990
Gulf War Liberation and Defense of Kuwait 1990
Gulf War Cease-Fire 1991
Operation Iraqi Freedom Iraq 2004–2005
Operation Iraqi Freedom Iraq 2006–2008
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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. Lineage and Honors for the 720th Military Police Battalion, United States Army Center of Military History. Retrieved 4 Aug 2015.
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