profile

146th MP Platoon The 146th MP Platoon is reassigned from the 504th MP Battalion to the 89th MP Group for operational control, and the 720th MP Battalion for administrative and logistical support, with assignment in Vung Tau.

Spring Vung Tau, once the Miami Beach of in-country R&R's, was closed to U.S. Military personnel. The city was off limits to all U.S. Military personnel not permanently assigned at the Army Airfield. All U.S. personnel authorized to be in the city on official business had to be in uniform, the Australian and New Zealand troops were permitted to wear civilian clothing. The police problems, however, remained for American, Vietnamese, Australian and Korean military police in the southern coastal city.

As a result of the cosmopolitan make-up of Vung Tau, a system of combined patrols and liaison between the different allied provost marshals was instituted.

Participating in this program of combined assistance were personnel from Company A, 720th MP Battalion, the U.S. Navy, the Australian forces, New Zealand forces, Korean Army and Vietnamese National and Army MPs.

Photographs

G0393 ?

An unidentified Australian and 2 US MPs from A Company at a former WWII Japanese gun emplacement.

The combined police station was shared between the US Provost Marshal, and the Vietnamese Provost Marshal, Military and National Police. An Australian MP was also on duty at the MP Desk. The US Provost Marshal from September 1970 through April 1971 was CPT Nicholas T. Boyko of A Company. All criminal investigations were coordinated with the Vietnamese National Police, the Office of the Mayor of Vung Tau, and the local city district attorney.

4 April MAJ John R. Tomberlin, Jr. Commanding Officer of the 22nd Provost Marshal Detachment and Provost Marshal, Vung Tau Special Zone, departed.

21 May CPT Kenneth A. Eusner was assigned as the new Assistant Provost Marshal, Vung Tau.

17 October SP/4 David C. Cooper, A Company, 720th MP Battalion, Vung Tau Detachment, investigates an accident at the corner of Tran Hung Dao and Phan Thanh.

For more information on the 1970 Vung Tau Detachment visit David Coopers 720th MP Battalion Vung Tau Website

The A Company Detachment also provided manpower for harbor security working on PBR's and Boston Whalers of the 18th MP Brigades, 458th US Army Transportation Company. NCOIC from A Company was SGT Michael W. Wheat. The combined unit constructed their own three-section floating dock by hand.

23 December The 720th MP Battalion Civic Action Council and Vung Tau Detachment members presented a Christmas party to the Khiet Tan Orphanage children during which time food and gifts consisting of clothing, toys and candy were made available for each child. A Christmas pageant was performed by the younger children for the MP’s.