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1966 ~ HQ Detachment Time Line ~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association ~ Vietnam History Project ~ This Page Last Updated 8 March 2008 |
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8 October The advanced party of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) consisting of six officers and eighteen enlisted personnel, departed from Oakland, California by air for Vietnam. |
 If you were part of the advance party, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page. |
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10 October The advance party arrived in Vietnam and was attached subordinate to the 18th Military Police Brigade, 89th Military Police Group at Long Binh Post in III Corps Tactical Zone. The team of representatives of the battalion and each of the organic companies (A, B, & C), would be responsible for insuring that when the bulk of the battalion arrived at Vung Tau, transportation to their new compound would be available, and the necessary administrative and logistical support systems were in place and functioning at a proper level. |
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The first priority was preparation to arrange the necessary logistical needs to build the temporary quarters to house the Battalion at Long Binh Post upon their arrival. The task would involve the preparing for the welfare and operational assignment of the men in: construction of tents for billeting and operations; compound security; the availability of, food and potable water supplies; communications both land line and radio; weapons and munitions; clothing and equipment; motor transport and servicing; finance, mail; and waste disposal. |
All of these arrangements would be coordinated between the Battalion HQ Detachment and through the chain of command of the 18th Military Police Brigade. |
19 October The remainder of the 720th Military Police Battalion arrived at the port of Vung Tau aboard the USNS Daniel L. Sultan. They were then transported to the air field and air lifted to Bien Hoa Air Base where motorized transport was waiting to have them and their equipment trucked to their new compound area in III Corps Tactical Zone, Bien Hoa Provence, Long Binh Post. |
20 October to 4 November The Battalion under the command of LTC Glen A. Hill began the task of constructing the first semblance of what would eventually be their headquarters and home in Vietnam until 13 August 1972. |
During the construction phase the men of the three organic companies (A,B, & C) also shared the task of security for their compound and the Long Binh military post which was still in its infancy and would soon grow to be the largest HQ and logistical supply base in Vietnam. |
Once the HHD was satisfied that the battalion compound and that each of its staff elements and organic companies had reached their minimum goals of functionality, the Battalion became “mission capable.” |
November HQ Detachment assigned three communications specialist from Long Binh Post to the 560th MP Company Can Tho Detachment to operate a Radio Teletype Station. SGT Ronald Wonders, and SP/4’s Robert D. Bell and Carl G. Brewer, trained as MOS 05C, Radio Teletype Operators, manned the radio box located in a bunker beside the motor pool. |
5 November The 89th MP Group assigned HHD, and A, B & C, companies their first operational orders. |
10 November During the period of 10 to 20 November, 1966, elements of the 720th MP Battalion were provided to assist in resupply operations to Tay Ninh in support of Operation Attleboro They manned security post and operated vehicles transporting supplies. |
15 November The 720th MP Battalion was officially assigned the mission of convoy escorts and security in support of the 90th Replacement Battalion at Long Binh Post. Convoys were escorted between Long Binh Post, Bien Hoa and Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Camp Alpha outside of Saigon under Operation SHOTGUN. |
The convoy escort operation, Operation OVERSEER, was initiated as a 720th MP Battalion mission to provide route and convoy security from Long Binh Post to Xuan Loc. In later tours this operation would be referred to under several names, the Long Gaio, Xuan Loc and Blackhorse convoys. All three organic companies to include the 615th MP Company participated either jointly or individually at one time or another. |
The 720th MP Battalion was an Army-level Battalion with an authorized TO&E strength of 592 men. Its first mission assignments would consist of: perimeter security for Long Binh Post; discipline, law and order patrols in Bien Hoa City and Long Binh Post; convoy security and escort for logistical and munitions supplies trucked to Tay Ninh, Ambush and Security at the 3rd Ordinance Ammunition Supply Depot. This however did not end the constant maintenance and upgrading of facilities that would along with the operational missions extend the hours of each work day of the men. At this particular time in the Battalions early days in Vietnam, the work standard was set, "sleep was never an option." |
4 December The 720th was given the mission of supporting Operation CANARY, the movement of personnel and equipment of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade upon their arrival in country. The operation was conducted during the period of 4 December 1966 through 8 January 1967. |
8 December The 720th MP Battalion supported elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and 5th & 6th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment, as they conducted highway security clearing operation on Highway-15 from Vung Tau to Bearcat and Long Binh Post during operation DUCK - IOLA. |
16 December The 615th MP Company minus their 3rd Platoon and Headquarters, which would join the company at Long Binh Post later, was attached subordinate to the 720th MP Battalion. |
720th
18th Bde.
89th GP 