720th Military Police Battalion

720th Military Police Battalion
Distinctive unit insignia
Active	10 January 1942 – Present
Country	United States
Branch	Active Duty
Type	Military Police Battalion
Role	Military Police
Size	Battalion
Part of	89th Military Police Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Fort Hood, Texas
Nickname	"Soldiers of the Gauntlet"
Motto	"Orderly Regulation"
Engagements	World War II Vietnam War Gulf War Iraq War
Commanders
Current Commander	LTC Charles Green
Notable Commanders	MG Albert R. Escola BG Stephen J. Curry COL Anthony Stamillio BG Rodney L. Johnson BG David D. Phillips
Command Sergeants Major
Current Command Sergeant Major	CSM Veronica B. Regalbuti
Notable Command Sergeants Major	CSM William A. Generali CSM Charles E. Guyette CSM Kenneth E. Kidd

The 720th Military Police Battalion is a military police battalion of the United States Army based at Fort Hood, Texas. It is a subordinate unit under the Training and Readiness Authority of the 89th Military Police Brigade. Constituted 10 Jan. 1942 in the Army as the 720th Military Police Battalion, it was activated during the Second World War at Fort Meade, MD 20 Jan 1942. The battalion served during that time while stationed in Australia and New Guinea. From there it was relocated to Yokohama, Japan in 2 Sep 1945 until finally moved to Fort Hood, Texas on 21 Feb, 1955.

720th Military Police Battalion protects III Corps readiness by conducting Law Enforcement operations to neutralize terrorist and criminal threats at Fort Hood, TX. Additionally, on order, execute detention operations, police operations, and security and mobility support in support of Decisive Action for COCOM requirements.

The battalion is subordinate to 89th Military Police Brigade. It is headquartered at Fort Hood, Texas.

The Battalion consists of four Military Police Companies, a Law and Order detachment, a Military Working Dog Detachment and a Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment:

The 720th Military Police Battalion, "Soldiers of the Gauntlet," was first constituted on 10 January 1942 in the Regular Army as the 720th Military Police Battalion. It was activated during World II at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland on 20 January 1942. The Battalion served in 3 major campaigns during the Second World 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, Texas on 21 February 1955

In 1950 at the start of the Korean War, the X Corps MP Company (Provisional) was formed when C Company was reflagged, filled their TO&E with volunteers from A and B Company and sent to Korea where it served with distinction earning a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

From October 1966-August 1972 the Battalion served in South Vietnam, III & IV Corps Tactical Zones, subordinate to the 89th MP Group, 18th MP Brigade. They performed convoy escort, POW guard/escort, highway security, physical security, and were the first MP unit in the history of the US Armed Forces to perform a three-year infantry counterinsurgency pacification mission from 1967-1970. Operation Stabilize included Ambush & Reconnaissance, Village Outpost's, River Patrol. Another MP Corps historical first was to direct air, armor, and infantry support for B Company Ambush Teams defending Long Binh Post during the 23 February 1969 Post Tet New Years attack. On 13 August 1972 The Battalion was inactivated in Vietnam.