Posted on Dec 29, 2015
Tet Offensive: The battle that changed MP history
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I am sharing this, as many - still - have no idea what our Military Police do beyond the gates of posts, camps, and stations. Since I entered the Army in 1980, there has not been any US Military Contingency Operation that did not include Military Police; in fact Military Police are among the most deployed assets in our Army. In such high demand after 11 Sep 01, the Army grew the MP Regiment from 45k to 65k.
During the holiday of “Tet,” the
Vietnamese New Year, Viet Cong infiltrators attacked Saigon in the pre-dawn hours of Jan. 31, 1968.
Their targets included the Vietnamese Joint General Staff Headquarters, the Presidential Palace, the American Embassy, Tan Son Nhut Airport, the Vietnamese Navy Headquarters, and the National Broadcasting Station.
The only U.S. unit available in Saigon was the 716th Military Police Battalion. The defense of the American Embassy resulted in the loss of four Army MPs and one Marine.
Sixteen MPs were killed in an ambush as they responded to a reported attack on an officers’ quarters near Tan Son Nhut airport. In all, the 716th suffered 27 killed and 44 wounded during the Tet Offensive.
The effectiveness and dependability displayed by Army MPs during the Tet Offensive led to the MP Corps being recommended and approved as a combat support element, in addition to its previous designation as a combat service support element.
During the holiday of “Tet,” the
Vietnamese New Year, Viet Cong infiltrators attacked Saigon in the pre-dawn hours of Jan. 31, 1968.
Their targets included the Vietnamese Joint General Staff Headquarters, the Presidential Palace, the American Embassy, Tan Son Nhut Airport, the Vietnamese Navy Headquarters, and the National Broadcasting Station.
The only U.S. unit available in Saigon was the 716th Military Police Battalion. The defense of the American Embassy resulted in the loss of four Army MPs and one Marine.
Sixteen MPs were killed in an ambush as they responded to a reported attack on an officers’ quarters near Tan Son Nhut airport. In all, the 716th suffered 27 killed and 44 wounded during the Tet Offensive.
The effectiveness and dependability displayed by Army MPs during the Tet Offensive led to the MP Corps being recommended and approved as a combat support element, in addition to its previous designation as a combat service support element.
Tet Offensive: The battle that changed MP history
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
Posted >1 y ago
COL Charles Williams - Thanks for posting this. When I commanded the 716th MP Bn, I had the honor of meeting several veterans of Tet '68. Very proud moment for the battalion and the Military Police Corps.
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COL Charles Williams
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COL Jean (John) F. B. Yes Sir. One year, at the Hall of Fame events, the SSG who drove the jeep through gate to retake the embassy, was at the museum... in his class As to boot. 716th... it does not get any better... Not even the 503rd... if you are honest...
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Posted >1 y ago
COL Charles Williams Those MPs put up one hell of a fight at the embassy!
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COL Charles Williams
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LTC Bink Romanick Yes they did. Several years ago, I met the SSG who rammed his jeep into the gate to begin the retake of the embassy.
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Great Time line about the Military Police Corps in Vietnam from 62-75. Fun Fact, In September of 1967, when given control of the area around Long Binh Province the MPs became the first non combat arms MOS to man a tactical area of responsibility in a combat zone!
http://home.mweb.co.za/re/redcap/vietnam.htm
http://home.mweb.co.za/re/redcap/vietnam.htm
UNITED STATES ARMY MILITARY POLICE - VIETNAM
Unofficial Military Police in Vietnam page
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