728th Military Police Battalion
Encyclopedia
The 728th Military Police Battalion performs Military Police
operations to allow US forces to move through an assigned area. The 728th Military Police has four line companies, and two Detachments, the 39th MP Det. and the 13th MP Det. The 728th Headquarters is located at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The Battalion works in support of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) and the soldiers assigned to it.
The 728th was activated 19 January 1942, at Fort Custer, Michigan
. The primary mission of the 728th was at first the training of men for combat and maintaining alert status for the protection of war production industry in Detroit, Michigan
. During the Detroit race riot
that cluttered the Detroit community, the 728th helped with security. On 28 October 1946, after the cessation of World War II
hostilities, the 728th was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
for its valiant performance of duty during the period 1942 through 1945. From 1946, until 1950, the 728th remained in the US where its mission was one of homeland security
in different areas. The battalion was soon told of overseas movement and was moved to Yokohama
, Japan. When North Korean invaded South Korea
, and the United States began their intervention, the 728th was reassembled in Pusan, South Korea. The new mission was operation and maintaining traffic on the Green Diamond-Main Supply Route (MSR). During the next eight months, many soldiers of the unit took active part in combat to suppress guerrilla activities
and respond to ever changing battles. Post the “MacArthur Invasion”, the Battalion Headquarters was transferred to Incheon
, South Korea, but much later. As security got better it came to Seoul. In 1951, the Battalion assisted to traffic control and other law enforcement duties. The unit was a major aide to the Korean War until the signing of the Armistice Agreement in 1953.
Since the end of Korean War, the mission of the 728th has been to give Military Police support to the U.S. troops around the Republic of Korea and, maintaining order in the assigned area. The 728th Military Police Battalion missions have included providing security for the return of hostages of the USS Pueblo
. Also maintaining security in support of the 1988 Summer Olympics
in Seoul
.
in support of the United States mission in the Iraqi War. The 57th Military Police Company at Camp Carroll
in Waegwan
, and the 552nd Military Police Company at Camp Hialeah in Pusan, each supplied 35 troops for this deployment. Prior to their departure, the troops received two weeks of Iraq-specific combat training which included how to deal with roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices; and information on the culture and peoples of Iraq. “This redeployment does not represent the start of a trend of sending soldiers from the peninsula [of South Korea] to Southwest Asia,” Maj. Kate Johnson, an 8th U.S. Army spokeswoman in Seoul, stated. “Our mission is the deterrence on the peninsula, and remains deterrence on the peninsula.” This assignment was expected to last at least six months, after which, the troops would return to their duties in Korea.
On 10 December 2007, the 728th MP Battalion took over the duties of the 97th Military Police Battalion
in Iraq. These duties include helping to educate and train the Iraqi Police in all operations and policing tactics.
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
operations to allow US forces to move through an assigned area. The 728th Military Police has four line companies, and two Detachments, the 39th MP Det. and the 13th MP Det. The 728th Headquarters is located at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The Battalion works in support of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) and the soldiers assigned to it.
History
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The primary mission of the 728th was at first the training of men for combat and maintaining alert status for the protection of war production industry in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
. During the Detroit race riot
Detroit Race Riot (1943)
The Detroit Race Riot broke out in Detroit, Michigan in June 1943 and lasted for three days before Federal troops restored order. The rioting between blacks and whites began on Belle Isle on 20 June 1943 and continued until 22 June, killing 34, wounding 433, and destroying property valued at $2...
that cluttered the Detroit community, the 728th helped with security. On 28 October 1946, after the cessation of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
hostilities, the 728th was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
for its valiant performance of duty during the period 1942 through 1945. From 1946, until 1950, the 728th remained in the US where its mission was one of homeland security
Homeland security
Homeland security is an umbrella term for security efforts to protect states against terrorist activity. Specifically, is a concerted national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the U.S., reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do...
in different areas. The battalion was soon told of overseas movement and was moved to Yokohama
Yokohama
is the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
, Japan. When North Korean invaded South Korea
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and the United States began their intervention, the 728th was reassembled in Pusan, South Korea. The new mission was operation and maintaining traffic on the Green Diamond-Main Supply Route (MSR). During the next eight months, many soldiers of the unit took active part in combat to suppress guerrilla activities
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
and respond to ever changing battles. Post the “MacArthur Invasion”, the Battalion Headquarters was transferred to Incheon
Incheon
The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
, South Korea, but much later. As security got better it came to Seoul. In 1951, the Battalion assisted to traffic control and other law enforcement duties. The unit was a major aide to the Korean War until the signing of the Armistice Agreement in 1953.
Since the end of Korean War, the mission of the 728th has been to give Military Police support to the U.S. troops around the Republic of Korea and, maintaining order in the assigned area. The 728th Military Police Battalion missions have included providing security for the return of hostages of the USS Pueblo
USS Pueblo (AGER-2)
USS Pueblo is an American ELINT and SIGINT Banner-class technical research ship which was boarded and captured by North Korean forces on January 23, 1968, in what is known as the Pueblo incident or alternatively as the Pueblo crisis or the Pueblo affair. Occurring less than a week after President...
. Also maintaining security in support of the 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
Activities in Iraq
On 21 October 2004, two platoons of the 728th MP Battalion (70 personnel) deployed to IraqIraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in support of the United States mission in the Iraqi War. The 57th Military Police Company at Camp Carroll
Camp Carroll
Camp Carroll was a United States Marine Corps artillery base during the Vietnam War. It was located at , 8 km southwest of the town of Cam Lo. Camp Carroll was also at the centroid of a large arc of the strategic Highway 9 corridor south of the DMZ, which made it a key facility.-History:The...
in Waegwan
Waegwan
Waegwan is the seat of government for Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea. It consists primarily of the administrative district of Waegwan-eup. It is situated on both sides of the Nakdong River, which is traversed by railroad, automobile and pedestrian bridges.Waegwan is home...
, and the 552nd Military Police Company at Camp Hialeah in Pusan, each supplied 35 troops for this deployment. Prior to their departure, the troops received two weeks of Iraq-specific combat training which included how to deal with roadside bombs and other improvised explosive devices; and information on the culture and peoples of Iraq. “This redeployment does not represent the start of a trend of sending soldiers from the peninsula [of South Korea] to Southwest Asia,” Maj. Kate Johnson, an 8th U.S. Army spokeswoman in Seoul, stated. “Our mission is the deterrence on the peninsula, and remains deterrence on the peninsula.” This assignment was expected to last at least six months, after which, the troops would return to their duties in Korea.
On 10 December 2007, the 728th MP Battalion took over the duties of the 97th Military Police Battalion
97th Military Police Battalion (United States)
The 97th MP BN is a Military Police Battalion of the United States Army based at Fort Riley, Kansas. Activated in Europe during World War II, the unit provided military police support and during the Korean War, the 97th MP BN conducted internment operations throughout the duration of the conflict...
in Iraq. These duties include helping to educate and train the Iraqi Police in all operations and policing tactics.