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545TH MILITARY POLICEMEN! |
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You've found you way home! This is the official site for ALL 545th Military Policemen and women who served in Fort Bliss, Australia, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Leyte, Luzon, Manila, Tokyo, Korea, Fort Gordon, Vietnam, Fort Chaffee, Fort Drum, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Fort Hood or any of the other scenic vacation spots the 545th MP Company served at. Sign in while you're here and you'll receive a copy of our units Buddy Contact Roster with everyone's name, phone number and email address. Stay in touch for life and never have to look for your buddies again!
Sadly, the 545th Military Police Company was deactivated on October 15, 2005 at Fort Hood, Texas. The last Company Commander, CPT Matt Mularoni has cased the colors for the last time and they will be turned in to the MP Museum until such time as the unit is ever reactivated and chances are good that this will happen as the 545th has a colorful history and is the most highly decorated Military Police Company in the Army. Such a unit with it's can do attitude and multitude of accomplishments “First in Manila, first in Tokyo, first in Pyongyang, first to cross the 38th parallel, and first at Panmunjom" are just a few of these accomplishments.
The 545th MP Co. has escorted more convoys, secured more VIP's, moved more displaced persons, processed more POW's, manned more Traffic Control Points, established more bridge heads, conducted more combat patrols, issued more DR's, and covered larger geographical areas of operations than many MP Battalions. The MP's in the 545th have filled in as infantrymen, artillery observers, combat engineers and every other area within the division where there was a need for manpower to fill the gaps in the line left by casualties and they were proud to have done so.
We are truly a band of brothers and sisters and it is here at this site where you can reconnect with your brothers and sisters and stay connected for life. With the unit being deactivated it is more important than ever to stick together and stay in touch.
Enjoy the photos and histories in this site. It has all been supplied, researched and organized by your fellow 545th Military Policemen.
Samuel R. Reinert
CPT MPC
USAR (Inactive)
Commanding Officer
545th MP Company, 1st Air Cavalry Division
Phouc Vinh , Vietnam
1969 - 1970
Garry Owen
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545TH MP COMPANY FIRST TEAM's FINEST |
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The 545th Military Police Company was constituted on 15 February 1939 as the Military Police Platoon, Headquarters Troop, 1st Cavalry Division in the Regular Army. The unit was re-designated 4 July 1942, as the MP Platoon, 1st Cavalry Division and activated at Fort Bliss, Texas. Also at this time it was re-designated as the Military Police Platoon, 1st Cavalry Division (Special).
The MP Platoon, 1st Cavalry Division (Special) was deployed on 26 July 1943, to Queens Island, Australia, in preparation for entering into World War II. In February 1944, the MP Platoon deployed with the 1st Cavalry Division for the Admiralty Islands in the Pacific Theatre and stormed ashore with the 1st Cavalry Division in an amphibious landing at Los Negros Island. They participated in campaigns in New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, Leyte and Luzon. During this time the MP Platoon, the First Team's Finest, suffered its first combat losses.
On 20 October 1944, the MP Platoon was again deployed with the Division to the Philippine Islands. General Macarthur selected the 1st Cavalry Divisions Finest for the honor of leading the Allied Occupation Army into Tokyo. On 2 September 1945, the 1st Cavalry Division with the MP Platoon was redeployed from the Philippine Islands to Camp Drake Japan. The MP Platoon was assigned to Camp Drake and conducted Division MP Duties.
During the occupation of Japan, on 25 March 1949, the MP Platoon, Headquarters Troop, 1st Cavalry Division (Special), was re-designated as the 545th Military Police Company, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp Drake, Japan. It would remain there until 1950.
On 13 July, the 1stst Cavalry Division and the 545th MP Company departed Japan by LST and on 18 July 1950, was initially scheduled to make an amphibious landing at Inchon. The landing was redirected to the southeastern coat of Korea at Pohang-dong, a port 80 miles north of Pusan. The North Koreans were 25 miles away when elements of the 1st Cavalry Division made their first amphibious landing of the Korean War. By 22 July 1950, all Regiments of the Division were deployed and in battle positions. The Division broke out of the perimeter in mid September and started north crossing the 38th parallel on 9 October 1950. The Division entered Pyongyang, capturing the capital of North Korea on 19 October 1950.
By January 1952, the Division, after 18 months of continuous fighting, deployed back to Hokkaido, Japan on 22 December 1951 and performed Garrison Military Police Duty. The 545th MP Company was inactivated 15 October 1957 at Hokkaido, Japan and relieved from assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division. Their deactivation was short lived as on 15 July 1963, the 545th Military Police Company was reassigned to the 1st Cavalry Division and activated in Korea on 1 September 1963.
In early 1965, the 545th Military Police Company accompanied the 1st Cavalry Division in rotation back to the United States. On 3 July 1965, in Doughboy Stadium at Fort Benning, Georgia, the colors of the 11th Air Assault Division (test) were cased and retired. As the band played the rousing strains of Gary Owen, the colors of the 1st Cavalry Division were moved onto the field. As part of the reorganization, the 11th Air Assault MP Co. was re-designated as the 545th Military Police Company, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
Peace for the soldiers of the 545th proved short lived and they soon found themselves once again facing the rigors of deployment and combat in the Republic of Vietnam. The 1st Cavalry Division was alerted for Vietnam and in mid August 1965, an advance party of the 545th MP Company departed by air while the remainder of the company was shipped by troop transport and Aircraft Carrier from Charleston S.C. during August 1965. The MP's acted as Provost Marshal Section for each ship, including guarding prisoners who had attempted to go AWOL. As their ships arrived in Vietnam, beginning 12 September 1965, the 545th MP Company set up operations and began to expedite traffic. Once an adequate traffic control system was established, the troops were flown by helicopters or accompanied convoys from Quin Nhon up Highway 19 to the Division Base Camp at An Khe. Arriving at Camp Radcliff, September 1965, they commenced the construction of their company area, while providing security and carrying out MP duties. Later the company was headquartered at Phouc Vinh and arranged along the Vietnamese/Cambodian border.
The 545th MP Company earned a Presidential Unit Citation, a Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation with one oak leaf cluster, three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry; and in 1970 was the first unit to win the Brigadier General Jeremiah P. Holland Award. The 545th truly earned the title “The United States Army's Best Military Police Company”. By the time they re-deployed from Southeast Asia in 1971, the 545th MP Co. had participated in 13 campaigns. The First Team's Finest settled at Fort Hood, Texas and though ever vigilant, remained stateside for almost two decades.
During 28 August 1981 to 30 October 1981, the 545th MP Co was deployed to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas in support of the Cuban Refugee Resettlement Task Force. In September of 1990, the United States once again called upon the First Team's Finest to help bring peace to the world. The 545th Military Police Company deployed with the First Team to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm where General Schwarzkopf ordered “Send in the First Team and destroy the Republican Guard”.
While in Southwest Asia, the 545th received another Meritorious Unit Commendation, making it the most decorated Military Police Company in the United States Army. The 545th has 12 award streamers and 27 campaign participation bands on its guideon. In December 2001, following attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon, the first Team's Finest was once again called into action, and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. On orders, the 545th Military Police Company Deploys and Provides Combat Support to the 1st Cavalry Division by Conducting Maneuver and Mobility Support, Area Security, Internment/Resettlement Operations, Company Sustainment, and Law and Order Operations.
In January 2004, 2nd Platoon deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. The platoon was joined by the remainder of the company in March and April 2004. During the next 12 months, the company conducted full spectrum operations within the TF Baghdad area of operations. These missions included: convoy support operations; training, teaching, and coaching the Iraqi Police in southern Baghdad; providing personnel security to key Division leaders; and security at the Division Confinement Facility. Soldiers of the 545th Military Police Company was involved in all major operations conducted by the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad, Iraq. In April 2005, the final Soldiers of the 545th MP CO returned home to Ft. Hood, Texas. In June 2005, the 4th and 5th platoons were disbanded and the Soldiers absorbed into the remaining 3 platoons. On 16 July 2005, 1, 2, and 3 platoons were formally reassigned to their respective brigade combat teams.
In September 2005, two former platoons of the 545th deployed to Louisiana to assist with the disaster relief efforts resulting from the damage and destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina.
On 15 October 2005, the HQ platoon formally cased the guideon for the last time as this chapter of the 545th MP CO came to an official close. The guideon might be cased, but the spirit of the “First Team's Finest” will carry on in the MP Soldiers still proudly wearing the MP brassard with the 1st CAV patch.
SSG Mike Ashcraft, the last 545th MP Co. Guideon Bearer in front of the orderly room at Fort Hood , Texas
Present or Former 545th Member?
Music:
Fill out and submit the below form to get on the Buddy Roster.
U.S. Army Cavalry Marching Band - Garry OwenSheriff Six's Forum
This Forum is for all 545th Military Policemen and Women.
There are a few basic rules that we ask you to adhere to them follows:
No profanity or four letter words.
No personal accusations (unless you provide documentary proof of them)
No name calling of any kind
No slander of any of our members.These are basically O’Reilly’s rules and they are pretty simple and should keep it friendly. You may post messages such as Reunion notices, group gatherings or current events you feel are important to pass along to your fellow MP’s. Friendly dissertation, discussion and exchange of information are encouraged with the emphasis on FRIENDLY!
MESSAGE BOARD
April 19 , 2007
1st Annual 545th MP Co Reunion and Military Ball
Date Change
As per Lieutenant General Raymond T. Odierno, CG, Multi-National Corps, Baghdad, Iraq in a letter signed April 13, 2007, all active duty Regular Army units have had their boots on the ground timeline extended by 90 days. This means that our active duty members – especially those assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division and the 89th MP Bde will not make it back to the States until at least January of 2008 and some of them not until February or March. We are rescheduling our Reunion to allow all of our active duty members to attend this function so that it will not only be a Reunion and Military Ball, but a Homecoming Party as well. The new and confirmed dates for this function are 25, 26 and 27 April 2008 and the location still remains the Radisson Hotel in Branson, Missouri. Contact CPT Sam Reinert for further details at samerinert1@545thmpcoassn.org
April 2, 2007
HOT HOT HOT!!
As per the office of the Provost Marshal General (verbal and not yet official) THE 545TH MILITARY POLICE COMPANY IS TO BE REACTIVATED IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE!!! Details to be posted on this web site as new information is received!
March 30, 2007
1st Annual 545th MP Co Reunion and Military Ball to be held November 23, 24 and 25 November, 2007 at the Radisson Hotel in Branson, Missouri. This reunion is for all 545th MP's and MP Platoon members who served in the 1st Cavalry Division from 1942 at Ft Bliss, Texas until the units deactivation at Fort Hood in 2005. For details Call CPT Sam Reinert (765) 962 4627 or email at samreinert1@545thmpcoassn.org
September 27, 2005
Photos still sought. We are still looking for photos from all eras of the 545th MP Companies existence, but primarily photos from:
WW II
Afghanistan
Desert Shield/Storm
Bosnia.Please mail them to:
Sam Reinert
626 ½ South 9th Street
Richmond, Indiana 47374
October 5, 2005 FINAL INACTIVATION DATE FOR THE 545TH: As per PERMANENT ORDERS 158-1, issued by Headquarters United States Army Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia, the 545th Military Police Company, 1st Cavalry Division will be Inactivated on 15 October, 2005 at Fort Hood, Texas, see orders below –
NOVEMBER 2, 2006 - CARE PACKAGES FOR THE 545TH MP'S
Our Association is presently sending care packages to the 545th veterans in Iraq and is seeking donations to purchase reading materials and snack items to send to our great guys and gals in harms way. Please go to the Donations Button in this web site for further instructions as to where you can send your donations for this great project.
Thank you.
New Book Available
Our Association Chaplain, SGM Frank Kane has recently written and published a book entitled WORDS OF EXPRESSION. It is now available on Amazon.com and from Walden Book Stores in the United States, Germany and Australia. The price of the book is $8.95. There are some very good poems and articles of faith. The proceeds of the book and royalties for this book go to Frank’s church. Frank served in the 545th MP Company in Japan and Korea during the Korean War and is one of our founding association members who was also very instrumental in recruiting our original members.
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