biography

After a 1963 graduation from Boston University Army ROTC, I wound up in the Infantry and made it through Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. After a tour as a platoon leader with the 1st Cavalry Division (2/7th Infantry) in Korea, I branch transferred to the Military Police Corps while at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

While a member of the famous 532 MP Company I was placed on orders to and shipped to Vietnam in February 1967 direct to HQ Detachment, 18th MP Brigade. Initially – like for six months – I was assigned to the S4 shop with Colonel Tom Guidera as Commander.

On weekends, I volunteered as a door gunner with the 68th Assault Helicopter Company assigned to Bien Hoa, for which I was awarded 2 Air Medals. In July 1967, after Operation Junction City, I was assigned as Commanding Officer of the 615th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion.

The 615th was the 720’s 4th company. (I don’t remember whom I replaced but Dick Shields was my Top [first sergeant] and Ken Kidd was my Command Sergeant Major).

The Battalion Commander was LTC Frank Payne and his XO [Executive Officer] was Fred Villella. My first driver was PFC Jump (from NC) and I finished my tour in February 1968 after TET.

Soon after January 1, 1968, my driver became SP4 Randy Stults from Menomonee, WI ? (I remember he got a football signed from every member of the Green Bay Packers including Bart Starr.) That disappeared.

Also, on my watch, we had a company-naming contest and named the 615 "The Bloodhounds." I think they are still The Bloodhounds in Germany!

My last driver was SP/4 Dick Shipporeit from Nebraska. The 615th was under the operational control of the 720th, but later shifted to the 95th MP Battalion. Late in 1967, my 2d platoon was detached to the 2nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division in the Delta at Tan An, and the 1st Platoon was detached to the 1st Infantry Division near the Iron Triangle. Another platoon worked with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment running convoys to Xuan Loc and the 4th remained behind at Long Binh to pull Discipline, Law and Order. (Guys forgive me if I have the wrong platoons).

During my six-month tour, we took a few casualties. One MP, PFC John Edward Davis, was killed while working a river craft operation near Long Binh and another MP was wounded in the Delta. Others were also wounded during the nighttime resupply missions to Xuan Loc. One – SP/4 Bill Vogel – became a Maryland State Trooper and retired a few years ago. I also ran across a CPL Duffer who fired a mean .50 cal machine-gun at the MP School in 1985. He was a civilian.

Others I have lost contact with but would love to find all of them again. I remember the night and day prior to the TET offensive when everything blew up in Long Binh. Our MP’s performed magnificently and I sure wish I took a company roster home. I would have a hell of a reunion for all the Bloodhounds!

I had a good career after Vietnam, attained the rank of Colonel, had a Brigade command at Fort Riley and finished my active duty in Washington. I married in 1969 after I returned home, had two wonderful kids (both grown and one a lawyer in Atlanta) and live in Northern Virginia.

For the past 8 years, I have been a Security Consultant for the World Bank Group in Washington and travel worldwide; one day I will even get back to Long Binh. The Bank has an office in Hanoi. I only have great memories of my active duty because of the great men and women who served with me. I only regret I even lost one man in Vietnam.

Yes, I do visit the Vietnam Memorial often and touch the plaques for CSM Kidd and SGT Larry Maggard. MP's of the 615th and 720th MP Battalion, I salute each and every one of you. Now lets get to work and find each other!!