profile

1967

A Company had a detachment of approximately MPs stationed at Lai Khe during Operation Manhattan, 22 April-11 May. It has yet to be verified if they were operating in direct support of the operation or supplementing the loss of 1st MP Company personnel assigned to the operation.

1968

There are no records of detachment activity on file for this year.

1969

There are no records of detachment activity on file for this year.

1970

7 April 1LT Frederick A. Gertz is assigned as the Officer In Charge at the C Company Lai Khe Detachment.

When the C Company MPs first arrived at the base routine comforts were sparse. They had no bathing facilities and washed with a shower hose until they could construct a shower room.

Getting Hosed Down SGT Steven D. Patrick, C Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, December 1969 to February 1971.

C Company had two Armored Personnel Carriers (APC's) were assigned to the detachment for highway security and transportation of National Police Field Fordes (NPFF) from Chon Than, and used for Reaction Force duties when required.

The APC's were staffed with three man crews. They also assisted elements of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) Phoenix Program, through 1LT John J. Parrinello, from the Chon Than District of Binh Long Province.

MP Bounties SGT Steven D. Patrick, C Company, 720th MP Battalion, 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade, December 1969 to February 1971.

19 July 1LT Frederick A. Gertz is reassigned from his duties as the Officer In Charge at the Lai Khe Detachment

1971 ~ Major Realignment of A & C Company Duties

18 May The 720th MP Battalion realigned the combat support and combat service support missions within Military Region III (III Corps Tactical Zone) which were previously accomplished by A and C Company. As a result A Company assumed responsibility and assimilated all personnel and equipment for all C Company provost marshal duties at the Lai Khe detachment.

26 May The responsibility for drug violations reverted from CID to the road MP’s, including processing all evidence and reports. One additional clerk had to be added to the A Company Tay Ninh Provost Marshal Office (PMO) to handle the additional workload.

29 July The Provost Marshals Office Detachment at Lai Khe was closed because the space occupied was required for a cavalry troop that was being moved into the base camp to provide security.

The MPs and equipment were redeployed to the Phu Loi Provost Marshals Office Detachment. One patrol consisting of two enlisted MPs remained on the Lai Khe Base Camp at night to provide a continuous MP support.