709th Military Police Battalion
The 709th Military Police Battalion is a United States Army Military Police unit currently located on Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany. The Battalion is the United States Army's only Military Police Battalion in theater. The unit falls under the command of the 18th Military Police Brigade, associated with 21st Theater Sustainment Command.
| 709th Military Police Battalion | |
|---|---|
 Coat of Arms | |
| Active | 9 April 1942 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Military Police |
| Role | Military Police |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 18th Military Police Brigade 21st Theater Sustainment Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Vilseck, Germany |
| Nickname(s) | The Warrior Battalion |
| Motto(s) | Guardians of the Troops! |
| Colors | Green and Gold |
| Engagements | World War II Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Lieutenant Colonel M. Elizabeth McGovney |
| Command Sergeant Major | Command Sergeant Major Hermes F. Acevedo |
| Past Commanders | LTC Richard H. Martin LTC William B. Halloway LTC Ted S. Chesney LTC Richard A. Mosco LTC Richard D. Miller LTC John F. Fitzsimmons LTC Robert N. Dillon LTC Roger P. Hedgepeth LTC Steven G. Yamashita LTC Matthew R. Gragg LTC Jeffrey A. Searl LTC John W. Copeland LTC Samuel A. Meyer |
| Insignia | |
| Distinctive Unit Insignia |  |
The 709th Military Police Battalion relocated from Hanau to Grafenwoehr in 2007. The Battalion Headquarters again relocated in the fall of 2018 from Tower to Rose Barracks.
The 709th Military Police Battalion has served with honor and distinction in the European Theater since the summer of 1944. Stationed in Grafenwoehr Germany as part of the "Ever Vigilant" 18th Military Police Brigade, the battalion provides community law enforcement and force protection within thirteen communities while training for future operations and contingencies in support of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command. In addition to providing Law Enforcement across Europe, the Battalion also supports Operation Atlantic Resolve, to include Saber Guardian 2017, Saber Strike 2018 and many other exercises throughout the theater.
Lineage and honors
- Began on 10 January 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 709th Military Police Battalion. [1]
- Activated 9 April 1942 at Camp Niantic, Connecticut. [2]
- Reorganized and redesignated 5 June 1945 as the 709th Military Police Service Battalion
- Reorganized and redesignated 18 September 1951 as the 709th Military Police Battalion and allotted to the Regular Army
- Companies A, B, and C inactivated 21 October 1977 in Germany
HHD 709th Military Police Battalion Campaign participation
- World War II:
- Northern France
- Peace Keeping:
- Operation Provide Comfort
- Operation Provide Promise Kosovo & Bosnia
- GWOT:
- Iraq - First Military Police Battalion to cross into Iraq
- Afghanistan
- HHD 709th MP Bn Unit Decorations
- Meritorious Unit Commendation for Afghanistan 2009-2010
- Valorous Unit Award for IRAQ 2003–2004
- Army Superior Unit Award for 1995–1996
Subordinate units
HHD 709th Military Police Battalion - Vilseck; Commander: CPT Dominic Gatling, Detachment Sergeant: SFC Craig Williams
92nd Military Police Company - Kaiserslautern & Baumholder; Commander: CPT Addison Flynn, First Sergeant: 1SG Paul Counterman-Grenauer
527th Military Police Company - Hohenfels & Ansbach; Commander: CPT Kyle Thorpe, First Sergeant: 1SG Salvador Montenegro
529th Military Police Company - Wiesbaden, Vicenza & Camp Darby; Commander: CPT Paige Lehman, First Sergeant: 1SG Daniel Gotschall
554th Military Police Company - Stuttgart; Commander: CPT Natalie Budner, First Sergeant: 1SG Nathaniel Gonzales
615th Military Police Company - Vilseck; Commander: CPT Zachary Stilwell, First Sergeant: 1SG Chelledon Chenault
Command group
- Lieutenant Colonel M. Elizabeth McGovney, Battalion Commander.
- Command Sergeant Major Hermes F. Acevedo, Battalion Command Sergeant Major.
- Major Justin Collins, Executive Officer.
- Major Hannah Verner, S3.
- Sergeant Major Gregory Elderkin, S3 Sergeant Major.
Unit decorations
| Ribbon | Award | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Valorous Unit Award | 2003 – 2004 | For service in Iraq |
 |
Superior Unit Award | 1995 – 1996 | |
 |
Meritorious Unit Commendation | 2009 – 2010 | For service in Afghanistan |
References
- "709th Military Police Battalion". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- "709th Military Police Battalion". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
External links
- Globalsecurity.org, 709th Military Police Battalion