720th Military Police Battalion
The 720th Military Police Battalion was originally constituted on 10 January 1942 in the Regular Army as the 720th Military Police Battalion. It activated during World II, at Fort George G. Meade, MD on 20 January 1942.
The battalion served in three major campaigns during the war while based in Australia and New Guinea before relocating to Yokohama, Japan on 2 September 1945, as part of the occupational force.
The battalion relocated to Fort Hood, TX, on 21 February 1955.
As of 15 January 1997 about 8,900 U.S. troops were in Bosnia, including two engineer battalions dismantling IFOR base camps. Operation Joint Endeavor gave way to Operation Joint Guard 20 December 1996. NATO's 60,000-member implementation force completed its mission, and a 31,000-strong stabilization force deployed for the next phase of the alliance peace effort. At the height of the IFOR mission, 19,000 U.S. troops served at 38 base camps in the northern sector. About 1,200 troops from the 720th Military Police Battalion from Fort Hood, Texas, and the 519th Military Police Battalion from Fort Polk, La., who deployed during the summer of 1996 remained as part of the stabilization force.
The distinctive unit insignia was approved 2 May 1952, consisting of a shield blazoned: Vert, a dexter gauntlet in fess Or grasping an imp, head to base, Sable. Attached below the shield a Gold color metal scroll inscribed "ORDERLY REGULATION" in Green enamel letters. The golden restraining hand grasping the inverted black imp, which is symbolical of a petty devil or malignant spirit, is symbolical of the restraining functions of the organization, implying the means by which undesirable factions are kept under control. The motto "ORDERLY REGULATION" is expressive of the determination of the personnel to regulate with order, and alludes to the charges on the shield.
The 401st MP Company deployed in January 2002 to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to serve as the headquarters element for Joint Task Force 160. They were replaced in May 2002 by personnel from the 43rd Military Police Brigade from the Rhode Island National Guard.
The 401st had previsouly deployed to Cuba when it had been involved in operations with a previous JTF-160 (Operation Sea Signal) from June through November 1994 in response to a Haitian refugees crisis. The 401st has participated in numerous deployments since its assignment to the 720th Military Police Battalion in 1972. It is credited with participation in various task force operations from its conception during World War II till the present day. Other missions have included tasks in Honduras, Operation Just Cause, Desert Shield/Storm, as well as many other operations around the world.
