728th Military Police Battalion
On order, 728th Military Police Battalion conducts miltary police operations, within assigned area of operation, in order to protect, and allow for the freedom of movement of, US assets critical to EUSA and CFC operations. It provides law enforcement and community assistance to the soldiers, families, and visitors to Area IV.
The 728th MP Bn consists of the HHD, three line companies, and five Military Working Dog Detachments.
HHD, 728th MP Bn is headquartered on Camp Walker in Taegu. The HHD provides administative and logistical support for the Battalion Staff and the Line Companies. Nothing happens within the Battalion without the involvement of the soldiers assigned to the HHD.
The 57th MP Company is headquartered on Camp Carroll in Waegwan. The 57th is responsible for Law Enforcement and Area Security in the Northern sector of the Battalion's area of operations. The 3rd MWD Detachment (Narc) and the 904th MWD Detachment (Expl) are aligned under the 57th and maintain kennels on Camp Carroll.
The 188th MP Company is headquartered on Camp Walker in Taegu. The 188th is responsible for Law Enforcement and Area Security in the Southwest sector of the Battalion's area of operations. The 903rd MWD Detachment (Expl) is aligned under the 188th and shares kennel facilities with the 904th at Camp Carroll.
The 552nd MP Company is headquartered on Camp Hialeah in Pusan. The 552nd is responsible for Law Enforcement and Area Security in the Southeast sector of the Battalion's area of operations. The 2nd MWD Detachment (Narc) and the 905th MWD Detachment (Expl) are aligned under the 552nd and maintain kennels at the Pusan Storage Facility.
The 728th Military Police Battalion was initially activated 19 January 1942, at Fort Custer, Michigan. The primary mission of the 728th was originally the training of troops for combat duty and maintaining "alert status" for the protection of war production industries in Detroit, Michigan. During the 1943 race riots that plagued the Detroit community, the Battalion provided perimeter security and crowd control functions. The success of this effort is symbolized in the unit crest with a broken red line between the insignia of the anvil and the Korean Liberty Bell. The red line represents the Rouge River in Detroit which was said to have "run red with blood" during this turbulent period in history. On 28 October 1946, after the cessation of World War II hostilities, the 728th was awarded the Outstanding Meritorious Service Plaque for its valiant performance of duty during the period 1942 through 1945.
From 1946, until August 1950, the 728th remained on US soil where its mission was one of domestic security in a number of different areas. The Battalion was then alerted for overseas movement and was moved to Yokahama, Japan. Following the North Korean invasion of the South, the 728th was transferred and reassembled in Pusan, South Korea. The new mission was operation and control of traffic on the Green Diamond-Main Supply Route (MSR). For the next eight months, many members of the unit took an active part in combat operations in surpressing guerrilla activities and responding to ever changing tactical situations. After the MacArthur Invasion, the Battalion Headquarters was moved to Ichon and later, as security increased, found its way to Seoul. In 1951, the Battalion assisted in traffic control and various other law enforcement duties. Until the final signing of the Korean Truce Agreement in 1953, the unit was a major contributor to the successful Korean War effort.
Since the end of Korean War hostilities, the mission of the Battalion has been providing Military Police support to the U.S. installations around the ROK and, when necessary, keeping peace on the peninsula. 728th Military Police Battalion missions have included providing security for the return of captured crewmen of the USS Pueblo in 1968, security in support of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, and convoy security for the fielding of Patriot Missles during the 1994 Nuclear Proliferation Crisis in North Korea. Today and every day, the Battalion stands ready for any mission as it has throughout its proud history.
