720th
Battalion History ~ 1952
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association Occupied Japan History Project ~
GHQ
This Page Last Updated ~ 27 August 2008
Roster pages include Company group photographs.
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.
At the start of 1952 all elements of the 720th Military Police Battalion were serving in Tokyo, occupied Japan.
        In 1952 the home of the Battalion was Camp Burness, located at Z Avenue and 20th Street, by the Sumidia River in Tokyo, Japan. The facilities at Camp Burness provided an opportunity for a well balanced and orderly life. They included a Service Club, Library, Snack Bar, Hobby Shop, Post Exchange, Barber Shop, Pressing Shop, Gymnasium, Pistol Range, Officers and Enlisted Men's Open Messes, Theater, Outdoor Athletic Courts and Company Day Rooms.

        The entire Battalion was housed in one large permanent type building commonly known as Building 100, which provided the space for troop quarters, supply rooms, orderly rooms, class rooms, consolidated mess, and Battalion headquarters.

        Numerous security missions were performed by the Battalion throughout the year, including gate guard duties at the United Nations and Far East Command Headquarters at Perishing Heights, the protection of dependent housing areas, and the safeguarding of personnel and property of the U.S. Security Forces, Japan, in Tokyo.
1952 Year Book
        Under operational control of the provost Marshal, Metropolitan Tokyo Area, other MP functions performed during the year consisted of traffic control, town patrolling, security of installations, desk operations, special details for ceremonies, escorts for VIPs, and operation of a detention facility. The operational schedule provided for the maintenance of unit integrity and for the rotation of duties by - and in - the companies.

        A progressive and comprehensive training program was carried out, starting with development of the general proficiency of individuals during the early part of the year, followed by small unit training, and ending with company-sized field problems. Towards the end of the year, emphasis was given to specialized training, including the establishment of a Military Police School, and other courses of specialized instruction.

        More than 360 members of the Battalion earned and received individual recognition for their good conduct, efficiency, and faithful service with the award of the Good Conduct Medals, Soldier of the Month trophies, letters of commendation, certificates of proficiency, and certificates of achievement.

< Photograph: Battalion Officers, 720th MP Battalion, Tokyo, Occupied Japan, 1952.

D Company Was stationed in Tokyo Japan and billeted in Tsukiji, Tokyo along the Sumida River. The 101st MP CID shared the same quarters in the rear of the barracks.
April
Exact date unknown The Battalion played a prominent part during the departure of General Mathew B. Ridgeway, upon his relinquishing command as Commander in Chief, Far East Command, to General Mark Clark.

28 April Japanese Peace Treaty With the effective date of the treaty the status of the Battalion changed from an "Occupational Force" to that of a "Security Force." The transition was accomplished without any major incidents, and all elements of the organization readily adjusted themselves to the changed status and jurisdictional procedures.
May
1 May, Anti U.S. Demonstration A few days following the start of the Peace Treaty, Japanese University students staged a massive, unannounced demonstration against the Americans in the center of Tokyo.
        The demonstrators turned over and burned several vehicles while shouting "Yankee go home!" Standard orders were to avoid confrontation and stay out of sight during public demonstrations. Intelligence information indicated the goal for the demonstrators to enter Washington Heights, a U.S. dependent housing area in the city. The Japanese Tokyo Metropolitan Police set up a defensive perimeter around the complex. The Battalion Alert Company set up an interior perimeter inside the complex and were armed with .30 and .50 caliber machine guns. Fortunately the Japanese Police squashed the riot and the demonstrators never attempted the attack on the compound.
2 May, 720th MP Battalion Crest Becomes Official The Department of the Army officially approved the Battalion Crest and Coat of Arms.
August
13 August All Battalion organic companies, A, B, C, D, and HQ Company completed the qualification firing course with the M-1 Rifle and Caliber .30 Rifle (semiautomatic) pursuant to Army Regulations 775-10 and were awarded the appropriate Qualification Badges.
September
Exact date unknown, Unidentified band performs during the 10th Birthday celebration of the 720th Military Police Battalion in Tokyo.

8 September, MP School The Battalion started classes in their Military Police School with twenty-two students. Instructions were repeated each week until approximately three-hundred members graduated from the school by the end of the year.

26 September The Battalion hosted an open house from 0900 to 1100 hours, at Camp Burness, to celebrate the 11th Anniversary of the Military Police Corps.
At the end of 1952 all elements of the 720th Military Police Battalion were serving in Tokyo, occupied Japan.