720th
Battalion History ~ 1947
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association Occupied Japan History Project ~
This Page Last Updated    28 July 2008
8th Army
If you were a veteran of the 720th MP Battalion or any of its subordinate units, and recognize any of the events listed on this page, or you are a surviving family member of a Battalion veteran from this era and would like to contribute Information, personal stories, documents, media articles or photographs, please take a moment to contact the History Project Manager at the Email Link provided above for instructions or assistance. Your contributions are extremely important to the Battalion history and always welcomed.
In 1947 the 720th Military Police Battalion was serving Occupation Duty in Tokyo, occupied Japan.
January
Patrol Routine   T4 Francis J. Boucher, A Company, 720th MP Battalion, 8th Army, Occupied Japan, 1947-1948.

        The extremely high percentage of turnover in personnel due to discharges and consolidation continued throughout the year. Mission staffing suffered and the extensive training program started in 1946 continued.

        The Battalion provided a detail of officers and enlisted men to perform duties at the International Military (War Crimes) Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE). in Tokyo. They also furnished numerous special details to escort VIPs and the Emperor and the Empress of Japan. The VIPs included many high ranking military officers and civilians from the U.S. and allied countries.

The POWs  T4 Francis J. Boucher, A Company, 720th MP Battalion, 8th Army, Occupied Japan, 1947-1948.
March
17 March LTC G. H. Meek received command of the Battalion from LTC Emory D. Middleton.
May
3 May The new Constitution of Japan came into force. To commemorate the event, the date was celebrated as a national holiday. Unlike the Meiji Constitution that it replaced, the new Constitution declared that sovereignty lies with the people; the Emperor is "the symbol of the state and the unity of the people" who has no "powers related to government." It asserts that people have fundamental human rights and renounces war. It was a very democratic document modeled on the American and British constitutions.
Dedication of the Soldiers Statue
30 May, 1500 Hours Decoration Day (Memorial Day) C Company presented to the Battalion a *statue dedicated to the men of the Battalion who had lost their lives in World War II. The statue depicted a soldier, helmet strapped to his right wrist, feet spread apart.
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PROGRAM

     The statue was carved from native Japanese granit by Mr. Kyoji Yatsuyanagi of the Ishikatsu Stone Company, Shibaku, Tokyo.

     The Memorial Service participants were: Invocation and Benediction by Chaplain John A, Ryan (Sugamo Prison), Opening Address by BG Charles F. Ferrin (Provost Marshal Greater Tokyo), Address by LTC C. H. Meek (Battalion Commander), Address by CPT Jay F. Ra Zor (Commanding Officer C Company), The National Anthem played by the 720th MP Battalion Band, under the direction of PVT Henry J. Becker.

     The dedication read as follows: "With the passage of time men are prone to nullify or disregard the sacrifices others have made, so that we may live in peace.
ROSTER - 1
ROSTER - 2

   The officers and men of Company "C" 720th Military Police Battalion, in an effort to counteract this condition, have erected a replica in granite of an American soldier, to serves as a constant source of inspiration to us by reminding us that others possessed devotion to our country to the extent that they were willing to lay down their lives for its principals. This thought in turn will give us the desire to carry on our duties in a manner which will reflect credit not only upon ourselves, but to our organization and country.

It will be our thought on this and every Memorial Day; to thank God and to pray for our comrades in arms who unselfishly gave their lives for our country and its doctrines."

     On 13 March 1948 when the headquarters moved from Camp Burness-Nakano, the statue was positioned at the front entrance of the Camp Burness-Tokyo main building (#100).

*No record has been found by the Reunion Association on the fate of the statue after the Battalion departed Japan on 21 February 1955.
September

        The Battalions operational plan was changed to assign each company mission specific responsibilities. A Company was assigned to patrol all beer halls and cabarets. B Company was assigned all traffic control and motor patrol functions. C Company was assigned all foot patrols and train guard functions.

        D Company was assigned to patrol the Ernie Pyle Theater & Snack Bar and the Tokyo Post Exchange and snack bar.

17 September PFC Stephen F. Lydon of C Company was presented a Certificate Of Achievement by his commanding officer, CPT Jay F. Ra Zor, for excellent performance of duty in the apprehension of an AWOL soldier who had been hiding from military authorities for 30 days.
At the end of 1947 all elements of the 720th Military Police Battalion were serving in Tokyo, occupied Japan.