720thThe Military Police Jeep
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association History Project ~
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association History Project ~
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720th |
The Military Police Jeep
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association History Project ~ |
This Page Last Updated ~ 13 August 2008 |
 The History Project is looking for photographs of Battalion Jeeps from all eras. If you have any photographs please send them along with any personal stories via the Email Link above. |
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1942 ~ 1955 World War II & Tokyo, Occupied Japan |
Wilys M38A1, round fender, manufactured for the military from 1952 through 1957. It was eventually replaced by the Ford M151. |
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1966 - 1972 The Vietnam War "The MP's in Vietnam depended on their Jeeps like the Cavalry once depended on their horses!" |
When the 720th MP Battalion first arrived in Vietnam on 19 October 1966, it was authorized by TO&E, one-hundred and sixteen 1/4 ton (4x4) trucks (Jeeps). |
M151 1/4 ton truck was designed by Ford Motor Company with guidance from the US Army's Ordnance Truck Automotive Command (OTAC) and development work began in 1951. Various types of experimental and pilot vehicles were developed and evaluated, including separate chassis/body combinations, aluminum vehicles, solid-axle versions etc. |
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The final version accepted by OTAC was an integral chassis/body (monocoque) unit, with all-round independent suspension, 24-volt waterproofed electrical system, two/four-wheel drive, with a four-speed, single transfer transmission. The first contract was awarded to Ford and vehicles were issued to the Military in 1960 (Model M151). |
| M151A1 was a revised version designed in 1963/64. It featured a heavier-duty rear suspension, designed to cope with add-on weapons and extra loads, which had caused problems for the suspension of the basic M151. Delivery commenced in 1964 and continued up to 1969, with vehicles being built by both Ford and Willys (later Kaiser). |
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| The independent rear suspension configuration of the M151 and A1 models gave rise to an over-steer condition and this, together with a lack of body "tilt" on cornering, led to many accidents, where the vehicle abruptly went out of control and/or rolled over when sudden steering movements were made. Despite training courses, films, circulars and pamphlets, the vehicle gained a reputation as being unstable, and efforts were made to "design out" the handling problems. On 31 January 1967 With ever increasing convoy escort security depands the Battalion Commander, LTC Glenn A. Hill, submitted a request to higher authorities to increase the battalion TO&E of 1/4 ton trucks (Jeeps), radios, and M60 Machine guns with pedestal mounts for to meet their current missions needs and attrition rates. Early Battalion Operation Reports/Lessons Learned for each quarter reveal that the weather, roadway conditions, and running time, severely effected the life of the Jeeps. Initial problems developed with carburetors, radiator's, fender cracking with the use of whip antennas, and battery life. All were passed up the chain of command to eventually be addressed by the Department of Defense, however, many were remedied by the mechanics at the motor pool with resourceful and imaginative emergency customization. The 720th MP Battalion utilized three versions of the Jeep for it's patrol, highway security, general escort, and convoy escort missions. |
Rag Top Jeep The standard stock version, was used for transportation, interior post patrol and limited distance exterior post patrols. The crew normally consisted of two MPs with 45 caliber side arms and M14 or M16 rifle. |
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Gun Jeep Used for exterior post highway security, general escort, and convoy escort duty. The rag top was removed, a pedestal mounted M60 Machine gun added, and in most instances sandbags were added to a box on the dash and floor for additional small arms and land mine protection. There were no doors or other protective cover for any of the occupants. |
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| Depending on the mission two or three MPs crewed the vehicle wearing steel helmets and flack vests, armed with sidearms, rifles, and 40mm M79 Grenade Launcher. |
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Armored Gun Jeep When the Battalion first arrived in Vietnam in their Jeeps didn’t have the armored crew compartment kits for protection against enemy small arms fire. The kits would arrive and be installed later that year. The kits consisted of the standard package crew compartment protection with the addition of ballistics glass inserts, and pedestal mounted M60 Machine gun. Due to the limited supply and the added weight that greatly reduced the servicability of the jeep, only a few jeeps were outfitted.
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| The standard Ballistics Window Inserts that came with the kits had their advantages and disadvantages. The vehicles were staffed with three MP's wearing steel helmets and flack vests, armed with sidearms, rifles, and M79 Grenade Launcher. |
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1972 - 1983 Post Vietnam Era, Fort Hood, Texas |
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The Jeep was the dependable and popular workhorse of the U.S. Army vehicle fleet from February 1941 through March 1983 when it was finally replaced by the HMMWV or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles. |
