~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association History Project ~

SGT Philip G. Stowe, 64th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion.

Purple Heart Medal

SSG Bryan M. Cope, 64th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion.

Army Commendation Medal-Valor

Click on ribbons for criteria

SGT La'Terrance A. Moses, 64th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion.

Army Commendation Medal-Valor

         For valorous action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM during the period of 30 November 2003. At approximately 1245hrs, 30 November 2003 SSG Cope and his 9 soldier squad was escorting an I.C.E. (Iraqi Currency Exchange) convoy to the Al Malwai Bank.

        SGT Moses directed his team to immediately open fire on the hotel where they were receiving fire. After neutralizing the enemy fire from the hotel, SGT Moses directed his gunner and driver to continue to scan for enemy fire within along the alley to their west and to the 6 o’clock.

        The team then began taking fire from the 6 o’clock.SGT Moses directed his gunner to return fire eliminating the gunmen. SGT Moses continued to direct his team even while receiving indirect mortar and RPG fire. After being informed of individuals with weapons, SGT Moses directed his gunner to fire eliminating 2 enemy persons with AK 47’s. While providing rear security, SGT Moses received an incoming RPG from across the street to his 6 o’clock. SGT Moses returned fire with one 40 mm HEDP and directed his gunner to fire again eliminating any further firing from that direction.

       Once the Currency exchange was complete SGT Moses, still under fire, loaded his team and started to egress out of the area. During the egress SGT Moses and his team continued to lay down cover fire through out the beginning of his route. SGT Moses’ team began began to egress, a man was observed in an ally to the left. SGT Moses directed is gunner to fire eliminating the gunman. The convoy turned north and appeared as if it was out of danger. At that time the convoy ran into a potential ambush initiated by a white Toyota pickup attempting to do block the route. SGT Moses directed his team to continue covering the I.C.E. convoy with cover fire drawing fire away from the main convoy.

       Upon departing the City the convoy was pulled into a security halt and allowed the I.C.E. convoy to perform first aid on a wounded employee who was shot in his left knee. Once the wound was bandaged the convoy was led to FOB Brassfield and escorted the wounded employee to the aid station. SGT Moses distinguished himself by remaining calm and directing the deadly firepower of both his team and his squad while enemy rounds were landing on and exploding around his vehicles. SGT Moses’ bravery and dedication enabled his team to fight through a 30 min enemy attack and one possible ambush and return home safely with only one minor wounded person.

SGT James A. Thompson, 64th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion.

Army Commendation Medal-Valor

         For valorous action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM during the period of 30 November 2003. At approximately 1245hrs, 30 November 2003 SSG Cope and his 9 soldier squad was escorting an I.C.E. (Iraqi Currency Exchange) convoy to the Al Malwai Bank.

        Upon arrival of the bank SGT Thompson directed his team to stagger their vehicle and perform a cordon of the bank. SGT Thompson’s team was charged with inner security ensuring the welfare and safety of the convoy.

        SGT Thompson immediately and effectively directed his team to eliminate the terrorist located in the apartment buildings. Thinking that the threat had been neutralized SGT Thompson was notified to cease-fire. Both him and his team were unaware of what was about to happen.

       As a result of SGT Thompson’s’ direct aim, he was able to neutralize the enemy ensuring the elimination of the threat to his team, the squad and the convoy. After neutralizing the enemy fire from the hotel, SGT Thompson directed his gunner and driver to continue to scan for enemy fire within the hotel and along the alley to their east. Even while directing his team under of both direct and indirect fire, SGT Thompson ensured a clear line of communication stayed open between the front and rear security relaying information From the Squad leader to Charlie Team Leader. SGT Thompson ensured a clear line of communication stayed open in relaying information from the Squad Leader to base of crucial information.

       Once the Currency exchange was complete SGT Thompson, still under fire, loaded his team and started to egress out of the area. During the egress SGT Thompson and his team continued to lay down cover fire through out the beginning of his route. The convoy turned north and appeared as if it was out of danger. At that time the convoy ran into a potential ambush initiated by a white Toyota pickup attempting to do block the route.

       SGT Thompson directed his team to continue covering the I.C.E. convoy with cover fire drawing fire away from the main convoy. Upon departing the City SSG Cope pulled the convoy into a security halt and allowed the I.C.E. convoy to perform first aid on a wounded employee who was shot in his left knee. Once the wound was bandaged SSG Cope led the convoy to FOB Brassfield and escorted the wounded employee to the aid station. SGT Thompson distinguished himself by remaining calm and directing the deadly firepower of both his team and his squad while enemy rounds were landing on and exploding around his vehicles. SGT Thompson’s’ bravery and dedication enabled his team to fight through a 45 min enemy attack and one possible ambush and return home safely with only one minor wounded person.

SPC Charles Matheson, 64th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion.

Army Commendation Medal-Valor

         For valorous action in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM during the period of 30 November 2003. At approximately 1245hrs, 30 November 2003 SSG Cope and his 9 soldier squad was escorting an I.C.E. (Iraqi Currency Exchange) convoy to the Al Malwai Bank.

       SPC Matheson (gunner) began pulling front security for the convoy. Even though the weapons fire was coming from the rear, SPC Matheson continued to scan and hold front security. After several minutes of counter fire, a cease-fire was called.

       SPC Matheson was directed to immediately open fire with his 50 cal. to the 12 o’clock neutralizing at least five enemy terrorist and injuries several others. SPC Matheson, seeing SSG Cope receiving fire from the 3 o’clock from several enemy persons attempting to flank from his east, opened fire and assisted SSG Cope in holding back the remaining enemy forces. After clearing the alley to the east, SPC Matheson immediately returned to the 12 o’clock and continued to hold back the opposing forces, which had taken cover in and around the Golden Mosque. Just then an RPG was fired at SSG Copes’ location hitting a building, the concussion of the blast knocked SSG Cope back approximately five feet and which took his breath. SPC Matheson turned back to the 3 o’clock and provided cover fire for SSG Cope, which gave him the opportunity to regain his bearing; check for injuries, and to reload to continued to fight. SPC Matheson again turned back to the 12 o’clock and provided overwhelming direct fire destroying two vehicles that were being used as blockades and as cover for a substantial size of the enemy force. The direct fire from SPC Matheson’s’ weapons killed one enemy person and injuries several others and kept others at bay.

       Once the Currency exchange was complete SPC Matheson, still under fire, provided firepower to his squad which had started to egress out of the area. While his Driver smashed through a vehicle blockade at the beginning of his route, SPC Matheson continued to provide direct cover fire with both his 50 cal. and M4, holding back the remaining enemy forces to the north until the front of the convoy could make it through. The convoy turned north and appeared as if it was out of danger. At that time the convoy ran into a potential ambush initiated by a white Toyota pickup attempting to do block the route. Once again his driver rammed through the roadblock. At that time, SPC Matheson noticed an Iraqi terrorist running with an AK 47 in one hand and a black bag, suspected IED, in a throwing position in the other. SPC Matheson responded with his M4 and killed the terrorist. Upon departing the City, the convoy pulled into a security halt and allowed the I.C.E. convoy to perform first aid on a wounded employee who was shot in his left knee.

       While stopped, SPC Matheson provided frontal security for the convoy element ensuring no vehicles passed the lead vehicle. Once the wound was bandaged SPC Matheson provided frontal security for the convoy to FOB Brassfield and escorted the wounded employee to the aid station. SPC Matheson distinguished himself by remaining calm and providing deadly firepower while enemy rounds were landing on and exploding around his vehicles, which held back a substantial size of the enemy element. SPC Matheson’s’ bravery and dedication enabled his squad to fight through a 30 min enemy attack and one possible ambush and return home safely with only one minor wounded person.