The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his speech opposing the war at a meeting of Clergy and Laity Concerned at the Riverside Church in New York City.

Beyond Vietnam A Time to Break Silence

     “I trust that the integrated efforts of the 48th Transportation Group and the 720th MP Battalion to provide the best possible motor transport service to combat units will continue.”

     At New York University, during the week of April 8-15, students participate in a variety of activities designed to raise the level of campus discussion about the war in Vietnam as well as to initiate student actions against the war. These include seminars, films, panel discussions, and theatrical performances.

     The effort at NYU is part of many similar programs carried out at other campuses across the country.

     These local actions build towards two massive demonstrations in New York and San Francisco on April 15, sponsored by the Spring Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam (later named the National Mobilization Committee to End the War in Vietnam or the “Mobe” for short was a coalition of many non ideological anti war groups, Anarchist and Marxist anti government groups).

     Editors Notes: The stated Mobe mission was to bring together all who wanted to, “End the Presidents program of genocide against a non/white nation,” as well as to "bring together everyone that doesn’t believe mass murder and militarism are ways of solving social problems.” 

    MG John C. F. Tillson, III, Commander of the 25th Infantry Division, Tay Ninh, forwarded a Letter of Commendation to COL Thomas F. Guidera, Headquarters, 18th MP Brigade, praising the 720th MP Battalion for its assistance during Operation JUNCTION CITY. MG Tillson stated that, “During Operation JUNCTION CITY the 2nd and 3rd Platoons of Company C, 720th MP Battalion provided military police support to the 25th Infantry Division in an outstanding manner.”

     "These platoons responded rapidly and professionally in their assigned mission of relieving the 25th Infantry Division Military Police by escorting large resupply convoys on the single MSR from Saigon to Tay Ninh and onward to areas deeper in the operational area. They contributed immeasurably to the success of the operation and made it possible for my organic military police to better perform their other combat missions. The 720th Military Police, through their training, quick reactions, and professional manner, were able to avert several serious situations, and the resupply movement was accomplished without interruption. Even though long and arduous hours were required on the part of both drivers and military policemen, the accident rate was kept to a minimum."

     "When the situation required, these military policemen proceeded during hours of darkness into areas which were known to be infiltrated by the Viet Cong in order to evacuate vehicles, protect personnel, and direct traffic at critical bridge crossing sites. Often these men were protected solely by their own personal and vehicular mounted weapons."

     "It is distinct pleasure to forward this letter to such well-led, inspired, and dedicated officers and men. They are a credit to the Military Police Corps and the United States Army in the Republic of Vietnam.”

     C Company assumed responsibility for the Xuan Loc convoy. They provided two APC’s and four gun-jeeps, and their assignment would last until 26 June when the vehicles and personnel were reassigned to the Tay Ninh Convoy to replace B Company assets that were transitioning for reassignment to staffing two outposts under Operation STABILIZE in the TAOR.

     With the new improvements of the physical defenses of the 3rd Ordnance Ammunition Supply Depot: no-mans-zone between the post perimeter and wood line was widened; additional watch towers were added; barbed wire perimeter fences and flood lights were improved. Brigade tasked Group in Letter Of Instruction No. 2-67, with providing a new plan for interior security requirements to provide personnel and equipment for the new improvements.

     As a result the Battalion ambush and security assignment outside the perimeter of the depot that began on 19 November 1966, came to an end.  The twenty-six enlisted men and one officer assigned to the detail were now free to perform other duties.

     On 15 May LTC William E. Eicher, Commander of the 3rd Ordnance Battalion Ammunition Supply Depot, 1st Logistics Command, forwarded a Letter of Appreciation to Headquarters, 18th MP Brigade and Headquarters, 720th MP Battalion.

     In the letter LTC Eicher stated, “I wish to commend you and your command for the outstanding support rendered the 3rd Ordnance Battalion. From November 1966 until April 1967 the 720th MP Battalion provided one platoon [A and later C Company] in support of the critical mission of defending Long Binh Ammunition Supply Depot. Throughout this period the depot was extremely vulnerable to hostile activity in that protective and jungle clearing efforts were at a minimum. During the two enemy attacks sustained by the depot in December 1966 and February 1967, your officers and men performed their duties in an outstanding manner. They were alert, well equipped, understood the mission and aggressively defended the depot in their assigned areas of responsibility. Their enthusiastic performance and professional competence set the example for all other supporting security elements to follow.”

     “Please convey my appreciation to the officers and men of your battalion for their outstanding efforts. Once again my thanks for a job well done.”

     The Battalion assumed the mission of operating joint checkpoints in conjunction with the Vietnamese National Police, [Canh Sat] and Army of the Republic of Vietnam Military Police [Quan Canh] within the Saigon area. The checkpoints were utilized to control the movement of restricted commodities.

Editors Note: This was a prelude to what would later become Operation OVERTAKE, the suppression of cargo theft and black marketing operations from government contract vehicles. If you have any photographs or stories pertaining to these checkpoints, please contact the History Project Manager via the Email Link at the top of this page or the Operation OVERTAKE page.

    A Letter of Commendation was issued by COL Robert Sabolyk, Commander 89th MP Group to the commanding officers and troops of the 95th & 720th MP Battalions commending their units for their units participation in quelling the 26 March riot at the USARV Stockade.

    “I wish to commend you and your organizations for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service to suppress a riot which occurred at the USARV Installation Stockade on 26 March 1967."

    “The rapid response to assemble, equip, organize, orient and dispatch a sizeable riot control reaction force at the scene of the disorder is indicative of outstanding leadership at all levels, and reflects a high degree of combat readiness. The confidence, discipline, attitude and determination displayed by the members of your forces contributed materially to enhance the effectiveness of the “show of force” priority measures following the proclamation by the commanding officer for the rioters to cease and desist in their unlawful demonstration and return to their respective huts within the medium custody compound."

     “When these measures failed to restore order, CS Chemicals were employed at approximately 2146 hours with devastating effects upon the approximately 200 rioters. Your forces entered the compound with unsheathed bayonets in an orderly, forceful and aggressive manner, deployed rapidly and effectively as skirmishers and established a driving force which forced a rapid withdrawal of the prisoners to their respective huts within the detained, adjudged and sentenced prisoner compartments of the compound. Subsequently, the manner in which your forces reacted to assist key Stockade custodial personnel to apprehend and remove to maximum custody active participants and leaders contributed materially to completely suppress the riot and restore order."

     “The super manner in which this mission was executed, without loss of life or serious injury to your reaction forces or the participants in the open display against constituted authority attests to the exceptional leadership and efficiency of your organizations.”

Operation JUNCTION CITY

    The Battalion detachments of 3 officers and 98 enlisted men committed to the operation on 20 February 1967 in support of the 1st and 25th Infantry Division’s in War Zone C, Tay Ninh Province, came to an end.

     One officer and 23 enlisted men from B Company were committed in direct support of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and 1 Officer and 37 Enlisted Men (believed to be A Company) in direct support of the 1st Infantry Division in Operation MANHATTAN..

     The Battalion MP’s were utilized in traffic control, village cordon and search, Prisoner Of War (POW), security, convoy escort, and general discipline, law, and order duties. Approximately 20 of the A Company detachment MP's were stationed at Lai Khe. It has yet to be verified if they were operating in direct support of Operation MANHATTAN, or supplementing the loss of 1st MP Company personnel assigned to the operation.

     The operation was a follow up of Operation JUNCTION CITY, a search and destroy and fire base and road clearing operation in Dau Tieng, Michelin Rubber Plantation area of Binh Duong Providence, and into Binh Long Province in III Corps Tactical Zone, conducted by elements of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment with support from elements of the U.S. 1st, 4th, and 25th Infantry Divisions and South Vietnamese forces.

     It was conducted from 22 April through 11 May 1967. The city of Dau Tieng was nestled along the shores of the Saigon River, known as the Saigon Corridor, a major VC and NVA infiltration route from Cambodia located in III Corps Tactical Zone.

     The primary US base of operation in the area was Camp Rainier, approximately 40 miles northwest of Saigon and east of Tay Ninh, next to the extensive Michelin Rubber Plantation where a large enemy command center was located. The isolated camp, equipped with a small airstrip, was staffed by elements of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

     The primary object of the operation was to surround the extensive Michelin Rubber Plantation area trapping the enemy forces while conduction search and destroy and cordon and search operations within the interior.

Operation MANHATTAN

     The B Company detachment arrived at Camp Rainier near Dau Tieng on their way to their new base camp in the Michelin Rubber Plantation. The detachment stayed in the camp that night as guest of the 4th MP Company, 4th Infantry Division, and had chow at their mess hall.

     They were surprised to recognize several of the 4th MP's as former members of C Company, 720th MP Battalion before the battalion deployed to Vietnam from Fort Hood, Texas.

      The following C Company personnel were promoted from Private E-2 to Private 1st Class (E-3), Fred D. Clark, and James R. Williams. PFC Williams was also appointed as the company mail clerk.

Operation JUNCTION CITY

     LTC Paul L. Timmerberg, Provost Marshal, 1st Infantry Division, issued a Letter of Appreciation to the Commanding Officers of the 18th MP Brigade, 720th MP Battalion and C Company expressing his appreciation for their assistance during Operation JUNCTION CITY.

     LTC Timmerberg stated, “On behalf of the First Infantry Division I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation for the assistance provided by the First Platoon, Company C, 720th MP Battalion during the period 20 February to 23 April 1967. The performance of the men of the 720th MP Battalion was truly commendable. The superior manner in which all of your personnel assumed their duties at Division Forward and Rear Command Posts reflect credit upon each and every individual. Their enthusiasm, willingness and professional competence were material contributions to the accomplishment of the Military Police missions during Operation JUNCTION CITY, Phases I and II.”

Editors Note: LTC Timmerberg started his Army career as a brand new Second Lieutenant with the 720th in Occupied Japan in 1950.

     Under 18th MP Brigade instructions, a military police needs survey for Long Binh Post was conducted by the III CTZ Provost Marshal. With the programmed increase of troops strength from 19,000 to 42,000 expected by August 1967, and a projected increase to 80,000 by early 1968, it was recommended that Provost Marshal and military police operations needed a dedicated PMO section (4 officers and 13 enlisted men), and MP Company (4 officers and 151 enlisted men) to handle the mission. This survey would result in the eventual reassignment of the discipline, law and order mission of B Company to the 615th MP Company on 10 February 1968.”

Operation MANHATTAN

Operation MANHATTAN

     B Company MP’s joined elements of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and 1st Infantry Division in a helliborne combat assault of a hostile village. The MPs would assist in the cordon and search operation. This marks the first helicopter airborne combat assault involving MP's of B Company.

     The MP's assisted infantry and Military Intelligence elements with searching for, detaining, security and the transporting of Viet Cong prisoners and suspected collaborators back to their base camp.

Operation MANHATTAN

     B Company MPs were assigned to cordon and search operation in several other villages within the Area of Operations. As on the 28th they were again involved in searching for, detaining, security and transporting of Viet Cong prisoners and collaborators back to their base camp.

     During these operations the MP's convoyed to their assigned villages, ever alert for enemy ambush on the narrow jungle covered roads. They also had to be diligent in looking for land mines and trip wires during the escort run. A primary bridge on one rout was destroyed by the Viet Cong, forcing the MP’s to find a river crossing, and travel off road through the surrounding jungle. When approaching the villages a close watch was kept on the workers in the fields and rice paddies until other elements could gather them together for processing.

      Once the perimeter security was in place the infantry and MP's went from hooch to hooch and gathered the villagers into a designated processing area where their identity papers were checked and medical examinations and treatment under MEDCAP were provided.

     A former Viet Cong (VC) soldier addressed the crowd via loudspeaker asking them to cooperate with the US and allied forces and requesting that any other VC hidden among them surrender.

     With all the villagers removed they searched for hidden tunnels, bunkers, arms, ammunition, medical and food stashes.

     All known or suspected Viet Cong and their sympathizers were placed into the custody of the MP detachment for transport back to the base camp for further interrogation and processing.

     Along with the Viet Cong prisoners and suspects, the MP's also rounded up numerous South Vietnamese draft evaders, many of whom were also suspected to be Viet Cong soldiers or sympathizers.

     During this operation approximately 25 draft evaders were taken into custody to face civil charges, and marched in a group from the village to the local Vietnamese Army Popular Forces outpost that contained a National Police (Canh Sat) station.

     Even more caution was needed when departing the villages and Area of Operation at the end of the day because the local Viet Cong had plenty of time to set up ambushes on the roadways the MP's, without armored or infantry support, would have to use to return to their base camp.