At the start of the year LTC Alvin B. Welch was commanding. The 720th Military Police Battalion and its organic units, HQ&HQ Detachment, HQ Company, Able, Baker and Dog Companies were located in Camp Burness at Z Avenue and 20th Street Tokyo, Occupied Japan subordinate to Headquarters & Service Group, General Headquarters (GHQ), Far East Command under the operational control of the Provost Marshal, Tokyo Metropolitan Area

     Sometime during the year the battalion also began publishing a biweekly Newsletter called “The Sumida Sentinel.” The staff consisted of one officer as the Editor, one senior NCO as the Assistant Editor, a junior enlisted man as the typist, and a junior NCO was the Art Editor. The Publication Editor was a civilian.

     The Armed Forces Press Service provided much of the material used. Each company was allotted a separate section similar to a community news column in a small town newspaper. The only know copy still in existence was published on 30 June 1953.

     The cantonment 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 (installed during the year), officers and enlisted men's open messes, theater, outdoor athletic courts, company day rooms, motor pool, bachelor officers quarters, and many other conveniences.

     Each member of the battalion was issued HQ Far East Command Bulletin No. 2, “Traffic Laws”, prepared and printed by the Troop Information and Education Section, Tokyo.

    High standards of moral principals were maintained in all units, with emphasis being given to the development of individual character. The high percentage of voluntary attendance at church services and the gentlemanly and sportsmanlike attitudes displayed in operational, athletic and other endeavors attested to the high caliber of individuals who were assigned to the organization.

     There were also many military service clubs available to those that were looking for a quieter nightlife than that found off base.

     By 1952 the city of Tokyo was also an entertainment mecca, and the draw of the many “On Limits” Japanese nightclubs, bars and hotel bars in and around the Ginza area that catered to the troops and tourists provided meals, drinks, live entertainment, dancing and female companionship for the thousands of U.S. and Allied military personnel stationed within the country, as well as those visiting for Rest & Relaxation (R&R) leave from Korea.

     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, etc..

     Under operational control of the provost Marshal, Metropolitan Tokyo Area, other MP functions performed by the battalion during the year consisted of traffic control, town patrolling, security of installations, MP 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 within the battalion.

     Participation in competitive sports and other events was encouraged to the maximum, with emphasis being placed on teamwork and sportsmanlike conduct. Teams from the battalion won league championships and trophies in bowling and baseball.

     Eleven enlisted men were members of the Headquarters & Service Command football team, which had a very successful season, losing only one game, by a small margin.

     Visits to the battalion were also made by prominent officials of the Japanese Government, including the Grand Master of Ceremonies, Japan Imperial Household, Mr. Yasumass Matudaira; the Chief of Police, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Mr. Eiichi Tanaka; the Chief of the Police Section, Japanese National Safety Corps, Mr. Tadaichi Oba; and many others.

      During the year 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.

     Three Bronze Star Medals and five Commendation Medals were presented at ceremonies to members of the battalion for their prior services in Korea. In addition, many letters and verbal expressions of appreciation were received from outsiders, including general and flag officers, and civilians, for outstanding services rendered by individuals or groups of the battalion.

4 February The Tokyo area service men’s clubs doubled down their efforts to surpass their 1952 March of Dimes contribution goals by asking all the participant clubs to double their efforts. The battalion enlisted men’s club came through with a $200.00 donation, the proceeds of an auction.

14 February At home or away it was Valentine’s Day and the battalion enlisted men’s club held an open house for it’s troops and their guests, followed by a Japanese floor show at 2020 hours.

18 February In a brazen daylight robbery two men described as U.S. soldiers in uniform robbed the Senju branch of the Fuji Bank in Tokyo escaping with 2,800,000 Yen ($6,000.00 U.S.) in currency. Battalion MPs, the Tokyo U.S. Army 23rd CID Detachment, and Japanese Police responded to search for the suspects. The CID interviewed witnesses and obtained composite drawings of the two suspects for nationwide distribution.

     Japanese newspaper campaigns against American “gangsterism” followed the bank robbery, and were tied in with Japanese objections to terms of a recently concluded administrative agreement that gave Japanese authorities limited jurisdiction over personnel of the U.S. post occupation security forces.

     “ When I arrived in Tokyo the occupation was nearly over, and we were getting ready to settle into being the guest of the Japanese people. It was mostly an uneventful tour with one exception: the Frenchman.

     The story spread quickly and became the source of much amusement and speculation. It seems that a French soldier in Japan on R&R from the Korean War had robbed a bank in downtown Tokyo. The provost marshal took extreme exception to this crime and was personally insulted because it had taken place on his watch and in his jurisdiction. Part of his vexation was due to the timing of the robbery with the end of the occupation: he did not want to start the new era in Japanese-American relations with a manor incident – especially not an unsolved major crime committed by what was, presumably, an Allied soldier.

     The provost marshal immediately put all available CID personnel on the case, but after about a week, they had made no headway at all. He told the CID to produce, or else he would bring the MPs into the case, which he did a few days later.”    PFC Robert W. Snowden, Dog Company, 1951-1953.

     “I was on patrol and had checked in at the PMO in downtown Tokyo. I was told to take a jeep to one of the open plazas on the Imperial Palace grounds and await the arrival of a Navy admiral, incoming from Korea. After the chopper landed, I was to take the admiral to the Dai Ichi building.

     I was patiently waiting for the flag officer to arrive when, from the direction of the Imperial Palace, I heard a faint shrill blast of a police whistle. The sounds of police whistles grew louder as the signals were relayed down the hill from the palace, and I turned to face the direction of the palace and wondered what the heck was going on.

     The palace gates opened and an entourage of big limousines- I think they were Duesenbergs- emerged and headed right towards me. The first two were open turing cars and loaded with palace guards. The third car was a cabriolet, with the driver and guard in the open and the rear half enclosed. It was followed by another open car filled with guards, and they were going to pass within about twenty feet of me.

     Curiosity got the better of me, and I bent down to peer into the third oncoming car to see who was inside. It was Emperor Hirohito. We had made eye contact [something that before the war could result in a beheading for the offender] and he was smiling at me. Then he reached up and tipped his tall silk hat and bowed to me. I was stunned. As quickly as I could recover, I straightened up, came to attention and snapped a courtesy salute at the rear of the car, as the fourth car full of guards rolled past.”   CPL Roger G. Bjorlin, Charlie Company, 1951-1952.

1 March SGT Cornelius H. Patton of Charlie Company was one of forty graduates to successfully complete the Leaders Course given at the Armed Forces Education Center, Tokyo.

4 March As a direct result of the composite drawings of the two 18 February bank robbers that was published in the Japanese newspapers by CID, the Tokyo Provost Marshal’s Office received an early morning telephone call from an employee of the (Japanese) White Hotel in Kita-ku area of the city, who said a soldier staying there resembled one of the two bank robbers.

     Battalion motorized patrols were sent to the hotel to investigate the report. The MPs apprehended one soldier found in the hotel room but were unaware that another had seen them coming and escaped through a window.

     Questioning at the Provost Marshal’s Office revealed the 25 year old soldier was a member of the French Army named SGT-Chef Alfred R. Sirven, who was working as an interpreter and attached to the 537th Replacement Company at Camp Drake. SGT Sirven confessed to the bank robbery and identified his partner as 25-year old PVT Edmond Parriel, also a member of the French Army who was AWOL from Camp King. Sirven also informed CID agents that two Japanese nationals, Ryunosuke Tezuka and Hideki Yajima, assisted them in the robbery, and no U.S. servicemen were involved.

     A search of the hotel room by CID agents uncovered a Belgian pistol, a gasoline ration card and vehicle registration for a stolen Plymouth sedan which had been recovered by authorities days after the robbery. It was believed at the time to have been used as the getaway car. SGT Sirven had $546.00 in U.S. currency and $550.00 in Military Payment Certificates on his person at the time of his apprehension by the MPs.

     A description of the second French suspect was issued to all civil and military law enforcement authorities, and the Tokyo police began an intensive manhunt for the two Japanese nationals.

     Believing the fugitive would hide in the Shimbashi area, notorious for its nest of small, unsavory hotels, the manhunt focused on the area. Both the battalion patrols and Tokyo Police surrounded the Shimbashi-Ginza District and began checking every automobile that passed through, and every foreigner that got on a bus or went into the Shimbashi rail station.

9-10 March U.S. Army CID and the Tokyo Police arrested the two Japanese nationals involved in the bank robbery, ending what the press had called “the most intensive manhunt since the start of the occupation.” The four arrests lead to the recovery of 623,100 of the stolen Yen, in addition, during the investigation CID developed information leading to the arrest of a Turkish soldier involved in five unrelated robberies and two attempted robberies in the Tokyo area between 24 and 29 February. In all of the robberies, the two French and one Turkish Army suspect wore U.S. Army uniforms.

     With the clearance of the robberies, none involving U.S. troops, one of the Japanese newspapers issued an open apology to the U.S. occupation forces for mistakenly blaming them for the recent crime wave.

17 March The Defense Department issued a May draft call for 19,000 men, 15,000 for the Army and 4,000 for the Marine Corps. The call was projected to bring to 913,430 the total number of Americans drafted or called to duty with the armed forces since the Selective Service Act was renewed in September 1950. The Army’s share of the draft totaled 832,000, and the May call boosted to 81,430 the number of Marine draftees.

     The Air Force and the Navy had relied on volunteers for their manpower. Both the Army and Marines reported an increase in the reenlistment's by men who volunteered or were drafted shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in Korea. Another factor entering into the smaller spring draft call was the decrease in battle casualties in Korea, which had been averaging about 300 weekly for several months during the lull created during the armistice talks. The Army expected to have about 1,558,000 troops in uniform by 30 June.

     LG T. B. Larkin, the Army’s chief of logistics reported that it would be at least two or three years before a new automatic rifle (M-14) would begin to replace the semi-automatic M-1. The new rifle still required “two or three years’ worth” of tooling up, and a decision to begin was being delayed by “practical considerations. We’ve got to phase out the old and phase in the new.” Otherwise, there would be either too many or to few rifles.

     LG Larkin was talking about the M-14 rifle (7.62mm NATO round) adopted for use on 1 May 1957, and phased out by the M-16 (5.56mm NATO round) in 1964. The concept of the M-16 was originally designed in 1956, but production was delayed until 1963.

18 April The battalion’s PFC John C. Craig of Baker Company won first place as a singer in a field of seventy contestants who participated in an amateur talent “Star Hunt” sponsored by Headquarters & Service Command’s Special Services Section, and held before a crowd of 2,600 persons in the Ernie Pile Theater in downtown Tokyo. For his star performance, PFC Craig won a leather traveling case provided by the HQ&SG special activities fund.

28 April The battalion began serving as host for members of the five teams participating in the Far East All-Army boxing tournament “fight-off” scheduled for Memorial Hall held from 28 to 30 April and 1 to 3 May. The fighters of the teams from the 8th Army (Korea), Ryukyus Command (RYCOM), XVI Corps, Japan Logistical Command and Headquarters & Service Group will fight for the honors of being a member of the ten man Far East Command team that will move on to the All-Army finals being held in Monmouth, New Jersey.

     The boxing teams used both a ring set up in the battalion gym at Camp Burness, and the ring at Memorial Hall to prepare for the elimination bouts.

     The battalion’s lone representative on the HQ & Service Group’s team was Robert Varner a flyweight, who lost his fight in the semifinals on a decision.

     “From the beginning of the Occupation, most line duties were performed by two man MP teams. This format was initially kept in play as our schedule makers penciled in teams of one veteran and one novice.

     Shortly after the April peace treaty mandated gradual integration, our two man teams sometimes began to feature one MP and one Japanese policeman, with the MP retaining final authority in both foot and motor patrols. This landmark change, and others like it might have produced significant problems had the battalion roster still consisted mainly of the veteran, Regular Army troops, many of whom, understandably, developed and retained bitter feelings of dislike and distrust of the Japanese from the war years. Though there was dissent and resentment, it was minimalized and defused by the judicious scheduling of we, the larger numbers of newcomers.

     While achieving its goal of gradual integration, this joint venture also evolved into a truly interesting and educational experience. Some of the policeman were veterans of the Japanese military and included former pilots, ship commanders and such. Most of them were reasonably proficient in their English skills. The routine quiet periods of an eight-hour tour were sometimes painted with fascinating stories of the war from their point of view.

Exact Dates Unknown SFC J. R. Oliver of Dog Company was selected as the battalion soldier of the month.

     In a month that would be filled with tension and turmoil, the troops of the battalion were treated to a special event that would provide the necessary degree of humor to help them get by, the filming of a feature movie in Tokyo named Willie and Joe in “Back at the Front.”

     For those veteran’s that were born after the World War II era, Willie and Joe were the names of two archetypical GI Joe cartoon characters developed by Bill Maudlin, who started out as an infantry grunt himself, and went on to become a two-time Pulitzer prize winning editorial cartoonist. The two, who were loved by the troops throughout the U.S. military, represented two weary and bedraggled common GI’s who endured the hardships of warfare.

In the movie, World War II is over and to get home quickly, Willie and Joe join the "inactive reserve." Just firmly settled back into civilian life, they're reactivated for a new bout of basic training at a base in Japan. From then on, the two are in and out of one scrape after another while being chased by the MPs, and get involved with a glamorous Eurasian Mata Hari and her sinister friends in the black market.      Parts of the production were filmed at Camp Drake and in the Ginza area of downtown Tokyo. During the filming the battalion handled crowd security and traffic control. In addition, two battalion MPs, CPL's Roy Pritchard of Baker Company and Sam J. Costadina of Able Company played the part of the MPs chasing Willie & Joe.

     “I arrived at the 720th in about May, and was assigned to Company D. During assignment processing we traveled through the Finance Building, the NYK building, “Tsukiji,” and ultimately Camp Drake. All new arrivals were restricted for a couple of weeks for orientation purposes before being permitted to go on pass.

     I had the good fortune to have as my mentor CPL “Penny” Pendergast, and on the completion of the two-week restriction, we unleashed ourselves on the Japanese Empire.

     On time, Penny and I visited the Blue Moon Café, imbibed too much, and sacked out there for the night. Early in the morning, we discovered that during the night someone had stolen Penny’s shoes and pants. The best Penny could rustle up was a kimono and gators [sandals], and we took one of the local Kamikaze cabs to make it back in time for the morning muster. We made it alright, but he looked funny as hell. Years later, Penny and I met up again at Fort Devens and we were still laughing.”   CPL Harold G. Fahey, Dog Company, 1952-1955.

     Throughout the war years the Fascist military government of Japan continuously suppressed any minority political resistance, often with extreme violence. With the advent of the occupation the small group of Communist Party members began their rise from obscurity under an era of what they described as "peaceful revolution" in an attempt to gain popular support. During the political occupation reform, with political influence and support from the Communist Russian and Communist Chinese governments, they portrayed the U.S. military occupation as just another extension of American colonial imperialism.

 1 May As on May Days the previous years, all nonessential U.S. military and civilian governmental personnel were restricted to their bases. At Camp Burness, the perimeter security was strengthened and the Alert Company was on standby and ready to respond if called out. Thousands of Japanese police were on duty as the first line of civil defense.

     At Meiji Park just before noon, some fifty Korean and Japanese Communists agitators broke through a police cordon and stormed a platform from which American Socialist Norman Thomas was to speak. The confrontation and their arrests enraged the crowd who quickly dispersed and formed into five different columns, two headed to Hibiya District, and others to Korakuen, Shibuya and Shinjuku areas.

      Before it was over two were killed and more than 400 others were injured, including scores of Americans caught outside on the streets. The Tokyo riot resulted in the death of one Japanese policeman, thirty who were seriously injured, and seventy with minor injuries.

     The standing orders from battalion were to avoid confrontation and stay out of sight during public demonstrations. Intelligence information indicated the goal for the demonstrators was attack dependent housing areas and American military installations. A group of demonstrators was reported to be heading to Washington Heights, a U.S. dependent housing area in the city.

     The battalion Alert Company was called to duty and assigned to establishing a protective force for the Washington Heights housing area. The force was comprised of two officers and 67 enlisted personnel, with one officer and 58 enlisted personnel from Charlie Company, and seven enlisted personnel from Baker Company. The force commander was believed to be either CPT Frederick G. Peacock or CPT H. H. Holland of Able Company.

     The force set up an interior perimeter with fixed and roving patrols inside the complex and was armed with .30 and .50 caliber machine guns. The Japanese Security Guard Unit and Tokyo Metropolitan Police set up a defensive perimeter around the complex including foot patrols. The first night passed quietly with no incidents reported.

2 May 0600 hours A group of Japanese demonstrators began gathering at the southwest corner of the Washington Heights housing area and was kept under constant surveillance by the Alert Company, and Japanese Security Guards and Tokyo Police. It began to grow in size to approximately 500 people but made no attempt to instigate any trouble.

     One half of the Alert force was relieved of duty at 0650 hours, and returned to Camp Burness. By 0710 hours, the remainder of the force was relieved and returned to Camp Burness.

     The Department of the Army, Institute of Heraldry officially approved the Battalion coat of arms. The description of the shield is shown as "The golden restraining hand grasping the inverted black imp, which is symbolic of a petty devil or malignant spirit, is symbolical of the restraining functions of the organization, implying the means by which undesirable factions are kept under control.”

     The motto “Orderly Regulation” is expressive of the determination of the personnel to regulate with order, and alludes to the charges on the shield.

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     On the same day MG Edwin Parker, U.S. Army Provost Marshal General conducted an on site inspection of the battalion.

5 May, 1600 hours Thirteen people were injured as the National Rural Police (NRP) battled 300 Korean’s in a series of skirmishes at Himeji City, 291 miles southwest of Tokyo. The confrontation began when the police raided ten households suspected of harboring May Day rioters.

     Several hours later 500 Korean’s attacked the Himeji Police Station. The Korean’s withdrew after the arrival of additional NRP units from nearby towns.

12 May The battalion participated in the departure ceremonies of GEN Matthew Ridgeway, Supreme Commander of Allied Powers by providing escort and airfield security on the tarmac where his plane was waiting. GEN Ridgeway was reassigned as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe for the fledgling North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

24 May With all the turmoil during the month there remained one bright spot the troops of the battalion could quietly reflect on as a memorable achievement.

     With the cutting of a silk ribbon at 1100 hours by Monsignor Maximillian de Furstenburg, the apostolic delegate to Japan, the new building of the Seibi Gakuen (Beautiful Star) Catholic Orphanage at Akabone was officially opened. Funds for the $386,000 building were contributed for the most part by units of the U.S. Forces, Japan in the Tokyo area. The orphanage, at its site since the end of World War II cared for 380 abandoned children of all ages under the direct daily supervision of the Order of the Salesian Sisters.

29 May Japan once again braced for violence as Communists and left-wing elements prepared to follow through with forty-one demonstrations throughout the nation despite repeated police bans on rallies over the Memorial Day weekend. Twenty of the demonstrations were planned for the Tokyo area alone.

     Anticipating major clashes with the Communists, and a direct threat to attack the residence of Mitsusada Yoshikawa, chief of the special investigation bureau of the attorney general’s office (equivalent to the U.S. director of the FBI), Tokyo Police alerted their entire 25,000 personnel and equipped them with anti-riot tear gas grenades, steel helmets, and wooden shields.

     The Imperial Place grounds were closed, and traffic bans were put in place from 1700 to 2400 hours in the Palace Plaza, Hibiya and Yotsuya Park’s. Warnings also went out to American military commands to advise all personnel to remain off the streets, since the anticipated demonstrations will all be anti-American in nature.

     The Japanese Communist Party (JCP) announced earlier that the demonstrations were in observance of the 1949 U.S. Memorial Day demonstration in which one of their members was killed during a clash with Japanese Police. The police also feared that the JCP might also use the day as a memorial for the recent 1 May riots in which three of their members died.

     30 May, 0600 hours Able Company, the Alert Force company was placed on standby for possible deployment in Tokyo due to the continued threat of communist demonstrations in the city. At the motor pool, the battalion trucks were readied, loaded and placed in line for a quick departure.

     Key personnel were briefed on the rules of engagement if the unit was committed to the mission. The 1st and 2nd platoons were alerted for initial commitment; the 3rd Platoon was to be held in reserve. The distribution of ammunition and communication procedures was decided upon, and a system of reports on available transportation assets was initiated.

0830 hours, the battalion provided an honor guard to participate in the Memorial Day ceremony and command review held by Headquarters & Service Command. In years past the annual gathering took place at Meiji Park, but with the change from status of occupation duty to that of security duty, and with the imminent threat of civil unrest, this years ceremony was a brief and simple commemorative service held at the 71st Signal Service Battalion parade ground. All other smaller commands were also asked to hold their services within the confines of their installations.

31 May, 0200 hours The platoon at Washington Heights was relieved by elements of Baker Company, and were later recommitted to the housing area force at 0700 hours, with the addition of 25 enlisted men from Dog Company, bringing the complement to a total strength of 132. No incidents were reported.

     Generally, it appeared that the operation was carried out much more efficiently that the one on 1 May. It was determined that the improvement was undoubtedly due to past experiences and better liaison. A system of strength and vehicle availability reports to S-3, by accurately informing the staff of available personnel and vehicles, also did much to enhance the overall efficiency of the Alert Force.

     The battalion also determined that training during the past month, especially field training, pointed out a definite need for additional experience of the noncommissioned officers. Squad leaders in particular, exercised very little control over their squads during the field operations. A hesitancy to act decisively was particularly noted. It was believed that the hesitancy was a result of inexperience in infantry tactics. Training in the fundamentals of infantry tactics to correct the situation was planned at the company level.

     It was felt too that additional intra-company communications were necessary and vital to the efficient operation of each company during field operations. At present, the only communications equipment issued were the EE8 field telephones, and Motorola radios mounted in the 1/4-ton patrol jeeps.

     The current commo equipment would probably be sufficient in static situations, but in any type of field operation, control of platoon and squads would be extremely difficult, if at all impossible.

     It was recommended that special authorization be sought for both SCR536 (Handi-Talkie two way Radio) and SCR300 (backpack Walkie-Talkie Radio), and for sound-powered telephones.

     Headquarters & Service Group announced the seven-man roster for their pistol team, scheduled for competition at the 3rd Annual U.S. Fleet Activities Pistol Match in Yokosuka on June 5, 6 and 7. Two members of the battalion were selected for the team, CPT Harrison H. Holland of Able Company, and LT Leander Woolard (unit unknown). The HSC team was scheduled to compete in fourteen individual events, and then combine for three team matches.

24 June Eighteen players from the six-team Tokyo Baseball League were selected for the team roster of Headquarters & Service Group to play in a series of exhibition games. Five members of the battalion were selected for the roster, 1LT Paul M. Timmerberg of HQ Detachment – assistant coach, PFC Stanley A. Clifford of Able Company – pitcher, PFC Clyde P. Agnew of Able Company – outfield, George D. Phillips of Baker Company – shortstop, and CPL Maurice R. Giesser of Able Company – third base.

4 July The Headquarters & Service Group baseball team selected 24 June that included five members of the battalion, 1LT Paul M. Timmerberg, PFC Stanley A. Clifford, PFC Clyde P. Agnew, George D. Phillips and CPL Maurice R. Giesser began their featured exhibition game at Stateside Park against the all Japanese Kanto All-Stars beating them in a pitchers duel by a score of 3-2 in the 9th inning.

Exact Date Unknown CPL James C. Graten of HQ Company was selected as the battalion soldier of the month.

13 August Pursuant to Special Orders 152 the battalion’s organic units HQ Company, Alpha, Baker, Charlie and Dog Companies 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.

     “On a hot August night Charlie Company had the swing shift from 1600 hours ‘til midnight. At 1700 hours all beer halls were required to close for cleanup and reopen an hour later. I was town patrol officer when the PMO got a call from the Ginza Beer Hall that some of its patrons were refusing to leave. On arriving to investigate, the lieutenant and I encountered six Australian soldiers who were in Japan on R&R from the Korean War.

     Our explanation did not satisfy them. Some American soldiers at first also refused to leave the premises, but they finally got the message and departed. The Aussies wouldn’t budge and began taking off their wide web-belts, which they wrapped around their knuckles ready to fight. The lieutenant took action. Our Interior Guard and a paddy wagon were called for, the wagon backing up tight against the beer hall door. The Interior Guard was ordered to fix bayonets and set up a skirmish line, which gave the Aussies no choice but to funnel out the door and into the wagon. At the PMO an irate Australian general arrived. He stood his six troopers at attention as he paced back and forth chewing on their tails. Within twenty-four hours the soldiers were back in Korea, and as far as I know there were no other incidents from the Aussies.”    CPL C. James St. Pierre, Charlie Company, 1951-1953.

29 August CPL Edward P. Dimarco and PFC Billy Womack (MOS 46677 Military Police) arrived at the battalion from the Replacement Detachment of Headquarters & Service Command, and were assigned, respectively, to Dog Company and Baker Company.

     CPL John W. Wood of Charlie Company was promoted to Sergeant and received a change of MOS from 4677 Military Police to 1677 Military Police Supervisor.

 Exact Dates Unknown PFC F. E. Craker of Baker Company was selected as the battalion soldier of the month. 1952 Battalion Year Book.

16 September At 5:00 pm Tokyo time, was the designated deadline for all candidates to register in the first post-occupation general election in Japan. The 1,244 candidates running for the 466 seats in the House of Representatives (lower house of the Diet) included: 476 Liberals, 208 Progressives, 109 Rightwing Socialists, 107 Communists, 96 leftwing Socialists, 108 Independents, and 80 members of other minor parties.

     Of them were 393 incumbents, 317 former members, and 534 new candidates. Women candidates totaled only 26, while 329 former wartime leaders purged and prevented from running under SCAP, were vying to lead the nation once again.

23 September With almost six years of Allied controlled occupational democracy as a guide, Japan’s political parties now free to participate in unencumbered public campaigning, still had to overcome their heightened enthusiasm and the many temptations that came with the new freedom.

     With only eight days remaining until the general election, the election law violations rose sharply. The National Rural Police reported that violations- mostly bribery- had reached 319, with 1,051 persons, including a candidate, arrested. Other violations included illegal canvassing, campaign interference and electioneering by minors.

    “To support the occasion a very nicely decorated cake was prepared by the baker, and put on display to be cut by the battalion commander [LTC Welsch]. He arrived to do the honors, and after a little speech took up a knife and was about to cut the cake. From out of the blue pops the cake baker; up on the table he jumps, and in his hands was the biggest cake knife I ever saw. It was either a samurai sword or a Japanese NCO sword.

     A number of ranking Japanese police and American military personnel were in attendance. COL Francis E. Howard, Provost Marshal, Far East Command said: "The Military Police Corps is observing its eleventh anniversary. Although this makes the organization appear relatively new in the Army, there have been military policemen serving with our armed forces since the days of George Washington's Continental Army.

     Now we can look at the first decade of our formal existence and realize that with the establishment of the Military Police Corps, uniform standards of training, selection and operation have been instituted which have resulted in a maximum amount of efficiency and service to the Army as a whole.

      The old attitude of fear and suspicion on the part of the individual soldier towards a military policeman rapidly is disappearing. Throughout the training period, all personnel of the corps are given instruction in courtesy and helpfulness which they combine with their courses in crime prevention,' investigation and apprehension.

     Today, with the experience of World War II behind us and with the Korean campaign giving us opportunities to demonstrate our capabilities, the - military police are ready for whatever job is assigned them.

      Military personnel at all levels, from the enlisted man to the highest commander, have been liberal in their praise of the military police. All have recognized the tremendous potential of the corps, and each military policeman is to be congratulated for helping to bring about this recognition.”

     On the same day, the Japanese government informed the Soviet mission in Tokyo that it had overstayed its welcome since it had “no legal status” since the San Francisco peace treaty went into effect on 28 April, finally abolishing the Allied Council for Japan. In addition, the Soviets did not sign the treaty, and had made no effort to establish diplomatic relations with Japan.

     Twenty-four staff members of the former mission, mostly soldiers, departed Japan for Russia by the 24th, leaving only a staff of fifty-five, mostly civil officials and a few military officers.

1 October A total of 35,749,709 Japanese people went to the poles and elected the new representatives of the lower house of the Diet. Forty-eight percent voted for the Liberal Party who won 242 of the 466 seats, 18.8 percent for the Reform Party with 89 seats, 12.8 percent for the Rightist Socialist Party of Japan with 60 seats, 9.8 percent for the Leftist Socialist Party of Japan with 56 seats, 6.4 percent for the Independent Party with 15 seats, Communist Party of Japan 2.5 percent resulting in a loss all of its 35 seats, with the other minor parties 1.7 percent, holding 4 seats and losing 18, and 412,349 people submitted a blank ballot.

     Within twenty-four hours, the Liberal Party’s two fractions led by Shigeru Yoshida and Ichiro Hatoyama, formed a coalition resulting in a slim majority in the lower house. Hatoyama dropped from the race for Prime Minister and backed Yoshida, who led Japan through most of the occupation years, guaranteeing his fourth four-year term as Prime Minister. The results also clearly showed that the Japanese people overwhelmingly rejected the Communist ideology, and dealt a humiliating blow to the resurgence of the Chinese and Soviet political movements in the rural villages, trade unions and universities.

 4 November With incumbent President Harry S. Truman choosing not to run, (because his first term was due to the death of President Roosevelt, Truman could have run for another term) the large field of potential candidates for both parties was worn down to former WWII icon GEN Dwight D. Eisenhower (Supreme Allied Commander Europe), and Senator (California) Richard M. Nixon as his running mate for the Republican party, and Governor (Illinois) Adlai Stevenson and U.S. House Representative John J. Sparkman (Alabama) for the Democrats.

     “Our links to home were just three in number, and ancient in mode (by today's standards), those being: the battalion Post Office [APO 500] with its two to three week delivery service; Armed Forces Radio (AFR), mostly in delay mode; and finally venerable old Ma Bell, an expensive, static dominated land line telephone call via ocean cable.

     AFR aired our favorite radio shows, and the dying Big Band Music of our life, found us weekly by way of “Your Hit Parade.” In early November it brought us the excitement of the network anchors, and their state-by-state coverage of the popular and electoral vote.

     In late November, the Gillette Blue Blade Cavalcade of Sports, blow-by-blow description of Ezzhard Charles heavyweight championship win over Rocky Marciano was a big winner, even to the losers in the betting pools.”   PFC Patrick L. Cook, Able Company, 1951-1953.

27 November The 4th Annual Thanksgiving Day Football Game between HQ & Service Command vs. Far East Air Force Base, took place at Meiji Stadium in Tokyo at 1:30 PM.

     Eleven enlisted men of the battalion were on the HQ Service Command roster.

     There is no record available of the results.

Exact Date Unknown With the Christmas and New Year holidays approaching the battalion troops were to find themselves extra busy during the month with numerous VIP security and traffic escorts as the prominent visitors to include, senators, movie actors, educator’s and newsmen arrived to inspect, report on or entertain the troops in Japan and Korea over the holidays.

     Included on the lists were: Senator’s John Sparkman (D) of Alabama, the Democratic Vice Presidential candidate, and Bourke B. Hickenlooper (R) of Iowa, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Columbia Broadcasting’s famous newsman Edward R. Murrow, and a party of thirteen reporters and technicians scheduled to stopover during their travel to Korea to film the holiday routine of troops in the field; Virgil Pinkney the publisher of the Los Angeles Mirror Newspaper who was bringing to the troops holiday recordings from their families from the Los Angeles area; Dr. Selman A. Waksman of Rutgers University, New Jersey, the 1952 Nobel Prize Winner in the field of Physiology or Medicine; and actor Paul Douglas (Angels In The Outfield) and stage, big screen and television actress Jan Sterling (Ace In The Hole & Johnny Belinda), a descendent of Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, accompanying several groups of lesser known entertainers scheduled to perform holiday camp shows throughout the region.

20 December Since the start of the occupation the U.S. troops in Japan were restricted from wearing civilian clothing when off duty. The civilian clothing restrictions in the European theater were lifted in 1951, and now with their mission in Japan changed to security, some of those regulations were loosened by orders of Headquarters Far East Command.

     For several months they were authorized to wear civilian clothing inside their quarters and military installations. However, effective this day the restrictions were reduced even further, and the troops were now allowed to wear their “civies” to nightclubs, hotels, theaters, and other public places.

24-25 December In addition to the battalion’s usual Christmas Day program for the children at the Seibi-Gakuen Orphanage, the troops culminated their two weeks of holiday festivities at the Service Club at Camp Burness.

At 1400 hours on Christmas Eve they decorated a large tree and followed the event with a popcorn party. In the early evening before attending religious services at the chapel and a midnight mass at the Ernie Pyle Theater, the troops attended a Christmas carol presentation given by the young peoples choir of St. Andrews Church in the main room of the club.

     As a holiday gift to the troops, the battalion presented its last known copy of the end of the year Battalion Souvenir Album. This was the most elaborate of the four known issues, and if there were others that followed, none have yet to be discovered. The album contained forty-nine pages, and as in previous issues there were photographs of the officers. However, in this issue, instead of just the printed names of the troops in roster format- each soldier’s rank and name appeared beneath a personal photograph. The last page contained this message from the commander.

     Throughout the year of 1952, the personnel assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion upheld the fine tradition and examples set by their predecessors. Without fail, all assigned missions and tasks were accomplished with dispatch. The manner in which the accomplishments were attained warrants just cause for a feeling of pride on the part of every individual who assisted in the endeavors.

     It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I dedicate this booklet to the individuals who, by demonstrated loyalty, diligence, devotion to duty and hard work, contributed to another successful year for the battalion.”   Alvin B. Welsch, LTC MPC Commanding.

     According to the album, the only changes to the battalion command staff since December 1951 were: MAJ C. N. Leinen- executive officer, 1LT S. Graw- S2, CPT J. T. Hart- S3, 1LT Paul M. Timmerberg- assistant S3, CPT D. R. Roberts- adjutant, CPT R. E. Miller- S4, WOJG E. L. Myra- personnel officer, and CPT R. C. Hantke the motor officer.

Headquarters Company- CPT J. P. Schrogham.

Able Company- CPT H. H. Holland, 1LT T. D. Whitlock, 2LT W. H. Cunningham.

Baker Company- CPT William J. Morrisroe, 1LT B. E. Carr, 1LT A. Da Vires.

Charlie Company- CPT F. V. Perrine, 1LT D. L. Erickson, 1LT J. R. Bresnahan, 2LT B. G. Cox.

Dog Company- 1LT Raymond D. Wentz, 1LT E. W. Kulb.