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Battalion History ~ 1965 ~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association History Project ~ This Page Last Updated 20 April 2008 |
 4th Army |
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 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 1965 all elements of the 720th Military Police Battalion were serving at Fort Hood, Texas. |
February |
13 February The following promotion and award of weapons qualifications badges were presented under Headquarters 720th MP Battalion Special Orders #26. SP/4 Gerald A. Liggitt (HQ Detachment) promoted to Specialist 5th Class E5, with MOS P716.30. |
Expert Badge w/Pistol Bar (45 cal) to 1LT Berkwood M. Farmer (HQ Detachment); PFC Ronald D. Jackson (A Company). w/Rifle Bar (M14) to SP/4 Carman Grier, PFC Richard J. Brady, PFC Ronald D. Jackson, PFC Stephen E. Long, PFC Barry L. Ralph, all of A Company. |
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Sharpshooter Badge w/Pistol Bar (45 cal) to SP/4 George W. Thompson, Jr. (HQ Detachment); PFC Stephen E. Long, 2LT William E. Thomas, PFC Dennis P. Carey of A Company. 1LT John R. Ballard, William D. Norman, of the 514th MP Platoon (POW Processing). w/Rifle Bar (M14) to PFC George J. Kurowski, Jr. A Company. |
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Marskman Badge w/Pistol Bar (M14) to PFC Kenneth W. Mahaffey, PFC William G. Maupin, PVT Clarence R. Wells, PFC Richard J. Brady, PFC Donald A. Carr, PFC Stephen M. Ramsay, PFC Halrold L. Jones, 2LT Larry S. Edwards, PFC William E. Hamilton, PFC Bobby R. Blake, PVT Ignacio Armenta, Jr., PVT Philip T. Wagner, PVT Arthur L. Smith, all of A Company. PFC Joseph F. Corvino, SP/4 Frederick W. Elwell, PVT John H. Starkey, Jr., PVT Frederick P. Moll, SP/4 Dominic T. Pacile, of the 514th MP Platoon (POW Processing). w/Rifle Bar (M14) to PFC Jose A. Diaz, A Company. |
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March |
The Battalion was part of a rapid reaction force and trained for deployments for the protection of President Lyndon B. Johnson during his stays at the Johnson ramch outside of Johnson City, Texas. |
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The Civil Rights March From Selma to Montgomery, Alabama |
The Dallas County (Alabama) Voters League, the Southern Christian Leadership Council (SCLC), and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) were all working for voting rights in Alabama. John Lewis headed SNCC's voter registration effort. On 7 March, John Lewis and fellow activist Hosea Williams led the group of 600 silent marchers from the Brown Chapel AME Church to the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge and into an event later referred to as "Bloody Sunday." A group of Alabama State Police attempted to turn away the marchers resulting in a bloody assault on the marchers. The incident which was shown on television throughout the country resulted in a national outrage. A Federal Judge issued an order temporarily halting the march so he could review the evidence. On 17 March, the judge lifted his restraining order and ordered that the marchers be permitted to continue under the protection of a federalized National Guard. |
Operation STEEP HILL-XIII |
19 March, Friday, Fort Hood, Texas In preparation for a march by civil rights demonstrators starting from Brown's Chapel, Salem, and ending at the Capitol Building in Montgomery, Alabama, the Battalion was airlifted from Gray Army Air Field, via C-130's to Craig Air Force Base, Alabama. The movement was named Operation 'STEEP HILL-XIII.' |
Reflections 2LT William E. Thomas, C Company, 720th MP Battalion, 4th Army, Fort Hood, Texas, November 1964 to April 1965. |
| WANTED: Information, photographs or personal stories relating to Operation STEEP HILL-XIII, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of the page. |
20 March, Saturday, Selma Alabama The Battalion arrived at Craig Army Air Field at 1530 hours [3:30PM], with a strength of 19 officer's, 2 warrant officers, and 443 enlisted men. During the operation, the Battalion was attached to the Alabama/Mississippi National Guard's 2nd Brigade of the 31st Infantry Division (Dixie Division). |
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SELMA to MONTGOMERY
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21 March, Sunday The Battalion was given the mission of providing security to the marchers from Selma to a point midway between Selma and Montgomery. The security required fixed traffic control points along the route of march, mobile patrols escorting the marchers, a mobile reserve force on call at all times in the vicinity of the marchers, perimeter security of the nightly camp sites, and the establishment of a radio net. |
A series of letters were written by Joseph Califano, Jr., Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, outlining the progression of the march. The 720th MP Battalion was mentioned by name in the letters. |
22-23-24 March The civil rights advocates continued their 50 mile march from Selma to Montgomery with an estimated 3,200 participants. Report #3, 1600 hours, and Report #5, 2000 hours |
25 March, Thursday, Montgomery Alabama When the marchers arrived at the capital building in Montgomery, the group was estimated at 25,000. The Battalion was committed to a dismounted reserve mission and located in the streets immediately behind the Capitol Building. Cold C Rations and sore feet (a result of standing at a relaxed parade rest for over six hours) was the order of the day. The Battalion was designated (Team C), Report #12, 1000 hours |
1740 hours [5:40PM] After a peaceful and orderly demonstration, the Battalion was released back to Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, for transport back to Fort Hood, Texas. |
27 March, Montgomery, Alabama The Battalion began its redeployment from Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, to Fort Hood, Texas. Some elements flew, others convoyed the 800 miles back to Fort Hood. |
As a direct consequence of these events, the U.S. Congress passed the Voting Right Act and it was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on 6 August 1965. |
April |
C Company redesignated as the 615th for deployment to Vietnam |
8 April The 615th MP Company was formed at Fort Hood, Texas for deployment to Vietnam, with the majority of personnel coming once again from the newly reformed C Company. The TO&E was filled by volunteers from A and B Company, 720th MP Battalion. The company was commanded by CPT John A. "Jack" Kochenour. |
The following officers were assigned under Special Orders #55 to the newly redesignated 615th MP Company: CPT Jan S, Monningh (C Company); 1LT Jimmy N. Bates (C Company); 2LT Julius L. Germano (C Company); 2LT William E. Thomas (A Company). |
June |
Exact date unknown 91st MP Detachment The newly activated 91st MP Detachment (Administrative), was attached to the 720th MP Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas. |
July |
28 July, Change of Command LTC Albert R. Escola passed command of the Battalion to LTC Glen A. Hill. |
August |
3 August The 615th MP Company consisting of 4 officers and 178 enlisted personnel, departed Fort Hood, Texas for Vietnam. |
The 91st MP Detachment (Administrative), consisting of 2 officers and 17 enlisted personnel departed Fort Hood, Texas for Vietnam. |
22 August, 514th MP Platoon The 514th MP Platoon, POW (Prisoner Of War Processing), attached to the 720th MP Battalion for all purposes. The platoon consisting of 1 officer and 20 enlisted personnel, departed Fort Hood, Texas for Vietnam. |
At the end of 1965 all elements of the 720th Military Police Battalion were serving at Fort Hood, Texas. |
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720th
Expert 
Sharpshooter 
Marksman 
31st ID 