92nd
Vinh Long Detachment ~ 1969
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association ~ Vietnam History Project ~
This Page Last Updated 19 February 2008
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The Vinh Long Detachment, 2nd Platoon, 188th MP Company
        The 188th MP Company conducted combined, U.S., Canh Sat, and Quan Canh discipline, law and order patrols in the city and surrounding area. They also provided traffic control and security for the Vinh Long River Ferry.

19 May SP/4 James A. Davis and PFC Joseph Beuning of the 188th MP Company, 92nd MP Battalion rescued two men, a SFC Billy Ray Head (DOA from his injuries) and Specialist 4th Class (believed to have survived), yet identified, of the 1st Aviation Brigade. Both were severely injured by a live power line in Vinh Long. The two American soldiers, in shock one with his clothes in flames were found lying unconscious during his routine patrol, after they were struck by a high-voltage power line.

       In 1970 PFC Beuning would receive the Soldiers Medal, SP/4 Davis would receive a letter of appreciation from COL Oliver E. O'Kier, Acting Commanding Officer of the 18th MP Brigade.
SP/4 Davis

Early Spring SP/4 Jim(?) Lowery, a mechanic in the detachment Motor Pool was awarded the Soldiers Medal. We shared our compound with a 105 artillery battery when they were not in the field. The battery was being choppered out from the compound and the helicopter crashed and caught on fire. It was full of soldiers, ammunition and crew. SP/4 Lowery ran to the burning chopper and started pulling men out despite the heat and the danger of explosion and saved several lives. SGT James A. Davis, 148th MP Platoon & 188th MP Company, 92nd MP Battalion, August 1968 to June 1969 and SP/4 Charles M. Phelan, 188th MP Company & B Company, July 1969 to September 1970.
SP/4 Lowery
        Looking for information on the exact date of this chopper crash and rescue, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page.

Isolation  SP/4 Charles M. Phelan, 188th MP Company & B Company, 720th MP Battalion, July 1969 to September 1970.

        When off duty the MPs took advantage of their Day Room, The Last Chance Saloon.

        They ordered their beer by the pallet, 144 cases, and it was flown in with the mail and ammunition. Their cost at the saloon was $.10 cents per can.

        Allied forces began a rebuilding process of the primary commerce artery of the Mekong Delta, the two lane roadway of Highway QL-4 (The Peoples Road). Members of the detachment were utilized to provide much needed roadway and construction site security.

October CPT Robert E. Connor is transferred from the 716th MP Battalion to the Vinh Long Detachment as commander and Provost Marshal.
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