LTC James L. Patterson

Commanding Officer of the 720th MP Battalion
5 October 1942 to 28 January 1943

     On 5 October 1942 LTC Patterson, who previously served as Base Section No. 2 Provost Marshal in Townsville, Australia, assumed command of the Battalion from LTC Larry D. Furey.

    The Allied forces were preparing for a Japanese invasion.

     During his tour as commander the Battalion was engaged in town patrol, traffic control, ship and dockside security, and guarding of various military installation's in, Townsville, Cairns, and Mount Isa, Australia, and in Port Moresby, New Guinea.

     On 28 January 1943 he passed command to LTC Arthur S. Bell.