LTC Albert A. Ackerman, COL Ret.

Commanding Officer of the 720th MP Battalion, 18th MP Brigade
31 January 71 to 5 February 1972 ~ Republic of South Vietnam

        LTC Ackerman received command of the Battalion from LTC Robert P. Schmitz. Prior to taking command he was Executive Officer of the 89th MP Group.

        During his tour as commander the Battalion participated in: Reconstruction of the Tay Ninh PMO; Initiating an in-country training program for volunteer dog handlers to overcome a sever shortage of the 212th MP Company (Sentry Dog);

        Coordinate the new the Phan Thiet, Song Be, Katum and Bu Dop Convoy security assignments; Increase staffing and responsibilities of the Selective Enforcement Traffic Teams to include drug enforcement and expand their AO to IV Corps; Reopen the Soc Trang Detachment; Provide security for a visit to III Corps by the Honorable Stanley R. Resor, Secretary of the Army; realigned the combat support and combat service support missions within Military Region III (III Corps) which were previously accomplished by A and C Company; Major Realignment of Drug Violation Enforcement- responsibility for investigation of offenses involving the use and possession of dangerous drugs and marijuana reverted from Criminal Investigation Division (CID), to the operational military policeman; Supported a comprehensive U.S. Vietnamese National Police campaign against marijuana and narcotics distribution in IV Corps from 22 June through 7 July 1971 resulting in 78 apprehensions; Crackdown on Post Exchange black marketing activities in III and IV Corps; Reassign personnel to staff the Drug Abuse Treatment/Holding Center (DAHC) on Long Binh Post; Implemented the new decentralized training system in accordance with General Westmorland's directive; Coordinate security for the 5th Miss America USO tour of Long Binh Post; transfer the Vung Tau Harbor waterway security mission to the South Vietnamese Navy; Coordinated security for Vietnamese presidential election and Inauguration in III and IV Corps; Coordinated the Battalion's assignment from the now departed 89th MP Group the 8th Military Police Group, Criminal Investigation (CI) also located at Long Binh Post.

        On 5 February 1972 LTC Ackerman passed command to LTC Charles A. Hammaker and was assigned as Deputy MACV Provost Marshal.