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385th Military Police Battalion
Seventh Army
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me.

175th MP Bn History (1951-1955)

385th MP Bn History (1955-1993)

Co "A" / 300th MP Co

Co "B" / 194th MP Co

Co "C" / 218th MP Co

212th MP Co

554th MP Co

981st MP Co



Related Links
175th MP Battalion History
1951 - 1955
175th Military Police Bn DI
175th Military Police Bn DI (approved Oct 24 1952)
(Source: Signal 14: Germany. 1952 Yearbook, 175th Military Police Battalion.)

Overseas Assignment . . .

On the 1st of August (1951), the 175th Military Police Battalion (a Missouri National Guard unit called up for active duty as part of the Troop Augmentation program to bolster the Seventh Army in Germany) sailed (from New York) aboard the U.S.S. General William Mitchell. The next ten days, spent at sea, were comparatively leisurely ones for men accustomed to the discipline and rigors of training.
 
Landing of Bremerhaven, Germany, on the 11th of August, the 175th embarked on the practical application phase of the many months of training which preceded their move overseas. They were greeted al the port by an honor guard of military and civilian dignitaries. They immediately entrained for Grenadier Kaserne of Zuffenhausen (Stuttgart), Germany. Moving into newly renovated billets, the men were awed by the difference between these and Stateside quarters. As all Americans overseas, the men began to take part in a series of sightseeing tours, both individual and conducted, to familiarize themselves with their new and different locale.

Shortly offer being set up in their new quarters, the 175th was called upon by Seventh Army, to which it was attached, to assist the 793rd Military Police Battalion in its duties in Stuttgart Military Post. Little by little, the 175th assumed an ever-mounting portion of the police responsibility of the post. More and more putting into practice the months of serious training.

The 175th also provided, at Seventh Army Headquarters, the Security and Honor Guard Platoon for Lt. Gen Manton S. Eddy, Commanding General of the Seventh Army.
In the month of October, the battalion participated in Operation Jupiter and Exercise Combine, the largest maneuver to be held by the American Army since the end of the war. For over two weeks, the men lived in the field, ate from their mess gear and slept in pup tents, performing the traffic duties for Seventh Army, operating a Prisoner of War enclosure and acting as a security guard for Seventh Army Headquarters, including the numerous and varied administrative functions.
 

Members of the 175th stand in front of main gate next to old Wehrmacht inscription
 
At the completion of this gigantic war game, the 175th moved from Zuffenhausen to Boeblingen and shortly after, on the 27th of October, Lt. Col. Joseph L. Salonick assumed command of this oganization, which after months of arduous physical and technical training had become a combat-ready support element of the Seventh Army, Europe's strongest defense force.

Gradually the men found themselves growing accustomed to living in a foreign land where the native language was not their own. They became acclimated to bicycles and briefcases, huge trailer trucks and miniature automobiles.
Away from their military police duties, the men took advantage of their presence in Europe. They enjoyed the skiing at Garmisch and Berchtesgaden, the rides through the famed Black Forest, the cruises on the Rhine River, and the customs and traditions of Germany. Beyond the frontiers of Germany, they ventured to the Winter Olympics at Oslo, Norway; visited the scene of Shakespeare's Hamlet in Copenhagen, Denmark; viewed London's Big Ben; walked beneath the Arch of Triumph in Paris, and visited the Vatican in Rome.

Entrance to Service Club		   During the month of December, the 175th participated in Operation Snowball, another of the Army-wide field problems.

The assumption of complete military police responsibility for the Stuttgart Military Post by the 175th Military Police Battalion came on 10 January 1952. Highly polished brass, snow white leggings and gloves, sharply pressed uniforms and glaring leather became the order of the day.
The cycle was complete! Leaving the books and tools of their trade behind, civilians representing a dozen states joined the 175th Military Police Battalion and were molded into a competent and efficient organization. From the red clay of Alabama to the flat acres of Indiana, during the raw morning air of Alabama, the freezing cold of an Indiana winter and on to the hot Hoosier summer, they overcame many arduous months of training, field problems, range work and exercises to become soldiers and military policemen. Trained and equipped they left the United States for Europe. In Germany, the meaning and reason for months of training became clear: to profect, serve and defend that from which they came.

175th MP Bn, 1952

 

1. Grenadier Kaserne, Zuffenhausen (KB)
2. Fliegerhorst Kaserne, Böblingen (KB)

3. Motor pool (KB)

4. MP Station (KB)
5. Ready for patrolling (KB)
6. Firing range (KB)		  

7. Bn sign probably outside of main gate (KB)
 
 
If you have more information on the history or organization of the 175th MP Bn, please contact me.
 
1952
(Source: Email from Carl Salzer, 175th MP Bn, 1952-53)
I was assigned to the 175th at Boeblingen, Germany from 1952 until the end of 1953. We were stationed at Fliegerhorst Kaserne on the edge of the city. and the Panzer Kaserne was on the other. I wonder if that base is still in existence.

There was a Ord. Bn. stationed there and the 175th MP Bn. The Kaserne was a german fighter base during WW 2. The runways were on one side of the road and the base and billets on the other side. While I was there the airfield was used to store all of our surplus trucks, jeeps, ambulances and whatever left over from the big war. As far as the eye could see the field was loaded, row after row of vehicles. That surplus was still there when I left to come home. One week out of ever month a part of our outfit had to live in the field and take part in maneuvers as did many of the units stationed in Germany at that time. We were always in the field at Freiburg Germany to help patrol that area. Thanks, for what you do with the site.
Carl Salzer

175th MP Bn, 1952

 

1. Kasern PX and Snack Bar sign (KB)
2. WW 2 vehicles stored on the Fliegerhorst Airfield run ways (KB) 		3. 175th. Mess Hall at Fliegerhorst Kaserns, Boeblingen (KB)

4. Co. B 175th. Softball Team, 1953 (KB)
5. Inspection before duty (KB)
6. 175th MP Bn Headquarters at Fliegerhorst Kaserne (KB)		  

7. Outside of Main Gate, Fliegerhorst Kaserne (KB)
8. On maneuvers at Freiburg, Germany, 1953 (KB) 		   
 
(Source: Email from Al Bien, 175th MP Bn, 1952-53)

 
I served with that outfit in 1952 and 1953 Company B. Have many pleasant memories, as well as a few pix.

Home of the 175th MP Battalion was Fliegerhorst Kaserne, Böblingen. Detachments of the 175th MP Bn also manned the MP stations at Sub Posts in towns, such as Göppingen, Schwäbisch Gmünd and Munich.

Was at a Trader Joe's store a few days ago. Guess what I found... DINKERLAKER BEER. Brewed in Stuttgart.... Remember the sign: ALBERTDINKERLAKERBRAUEREI
all one word hanging on the building.

I question the year book about the commander and chief of EUCOM in 1952. It was Gen. Charles L. Bolte not Gen. Eddy. I served as honor guard for Gen. Bolte at Patch Barracks in Stuttgartt, for a few months.

Co B, 175th MP Bn
Fliegerhorst Ksn, Böblingen

 

1. Member of 175th MP Bn in Stuttgart (KB)
2. 175th MP Bn, Böblingen (KB) 		3. Nativity scene at Fliegerhorst (KB)

4. MP Station, Göppingen (KB)
5. Patch Barracks, Vaihingen (KB)		    
 
(Source: Email from Vincent E. Sanders)
I was among the first replacements to arrive in the 175th. In July of 1952 I was assigned to "B" Company on a Saturday afternoon. On Sunday I was on my way to Munich to spend six weeks at the 7th Army NCO Academy. I was fresh out of Basic at Fort Sill where I was trained as a forward observer in the Artillery.

The course at NCO Academy was about 75% reviewing that training. The 175th and the 97th Signal Bn., up at Panzer Kasserne, were in a race for Honor Grads from the NCO school. I was a likely candidate. I graduated as fifth honor student and met Colonel Salonik, my new Battalion C.O. on the stage, during the ceremonies. I was the first Private to ever make the honor role.

I came back to Boeblingen and went to work in Stuttgart, learning the job from partners and the UCMJ, which I studied a lot. I was also lucky enough to be teamed with a German cop who had been around a while.

HQ Company was just that. "A" Company furnished the honor guard for 7th Army at Vaihingen. "B" and "C" Companies were basically town patrol in Stuttgart. When General Eddy was replaced by General Bolte, we had to cover the Generals house in Stuttgart, since the Honor Guard were all up at Heidleberg for the transfer of command. I was assigned a Platoon Jeep and was the driver for 1st. lt. (Hoss) Hofacker who was our company operations officer.

The 175th's primary mission was as Combat M.P.s for the 7th Army. When the Russians came down through the Fulda Gap we were to spread out along the Rhine River at all the crossings, take over all road intersections in the area and control the flow of traffic, etc., sending non-combatants west across the river and combat units east. To this end we had "Alerts" every month or so. We never knew when they were coming. At about 02:00 the CQ would get a 'phone call and wake everybody. Organized pandemonium!!

We were supposed to clear the main gate in 15 minutes, fully prepared to never see it again. Hoss and I did a running inspection of our deployments, the Commo' section monitored radio traffic, etc. When everything was approved, we headed back to Fliegerhorst.

On one such alert, in the winter, our cooks were ordered to set up the field kitchen and prepare a hot meal. The rest of us laid out our gear for a full field inspection, in the snow. Sadly, quite a few men were caught short on their equipment. I was new enough that I hadn't learned any shortcuts so I came out all right.

In your pictures, I recognized Al Bien. I believe he was at the Göppingen Detachment most of the time. I don't recognize many of the other pictures.

In the summer of 1953, I was TDY'd to the 7th Army Provost Marshal, along with a Corporal Jones. We helped make a training film about life as an M.P in Germany. We worked with a Signal Corps photo team, and filmed from Bremerhaven, through Kaiserslautern, Frankfurt where the 709th were train guards, Heilbronn with the HW Patrol, the M.P. school at Oberammergau and down to Mittenwald, on the Austrian border with the Border Patrol. When that TDY ended, we were broke, owed a lot of money and operations were determined to help us make up all the shifts we missed. I paid back a lot of debt by double shifting for buddies I owed.

I noted the brightly painted Paddy Wagon in the picture. I'm sure that was up at Vaihingen, since the M.P in the picture is wearing yellow gloves, scarf and boot laces. That was all Honor Guard gear. Our Paddy Wagon was just an O.D. steel box on the back of a 3/4 ton, with a small window in the door.

All in all, it was a great experience for me, especially since I could have been sent to Korea as a Forward Observer with a combat life expectancy of 11 seconds. Those Chinese mortar crews were pretty good.

I hope this will add to your records.
1953
(Source: Email from Lawrence Miyahara)
The first flow of 175th Military Police was landing in Bremerhaven. Then on to Grenadier Kaserne in Zuffenhausen, Germany. To assist the 793rd Military Police Battalion. August 11 of 1951.

I myself came at a later date of April 15th 1953 from Bremerhaven to Sonthofen Kaserne, a processing center for new comers. Finally to Boblingen, Germany, near Stuttgart.

The German Quarters was that of the Wehrmacht (WWII). The US called it the Fliegerhorst Kaserne. There was Headquarters, A, B, C, D Company and Ordnanace. I was in the B Company.

The MPs patroled the town of Boblingen and Stuttgart, what ever the assignment. 

Can't locate my buddies. So far heard from a buddy in Cooke Barracks site from the 899 AAA, 51 - 53, 28th Infanty Div. in Goeppingen, not far from Boeblingen.
385th MP Battalion History
1955 - 1993
385th Military Police Bn DUI
 
(Source: Email from Dick Burch)
On 21 October 1977, the Lettered Companies A, B, and C of the 385th MP BN were inactivated in Germany and replaced with the below Numbered MP Companies….  

300th MP Company, Wilkins Barracks, Kornwestheim replaced Co A, 385th MP BN

194th MP Company, Heilbronn, replaced Co B, 385th MP BN

218th MP Company, Augsburg, replaced Co C, 385th MP BN

In 1982 the 218th MP Co, 385th MP BN was reassigned to the 793rd MP BN remaining in Augsburg with detachments in Garmisch, Berchtesgaden, Bad Toelz and Chiemsee.  

The configuration of the 385th MP BN in June 1991 was the following:
ORGANIZATION (June 1991):

UNIT DESIGNATION

LOCATION COMMENTS
HHD, 385th MP Bn Wilkins Bks, Kornwestheim  
194th MP Co Wharton Bks, Heilbronn
212th MP Co Peden Bks, Wertheim  
300th MP Co Wilkins Bks, Kornwestheim
554th MP Co Patch Bks, Vaihingen honor guard company for HQ USEUCOM
 
During realignment of MP units in Germany due to downsizing, HHD, 385th MP Battalion, Wilkins Barracks was inactivated 15 June 1993 in Germany.
Of The Troops And For The Troops 
"HONOR, VIGILANCE, JUSTICE"
 
HISTORY OF THE 385th MP BATTALION

Part 1  - 385th MP BN WW II 1944 to 1948  Railway Security
 
Lineage and Honors of the 385th MP BN:

The 385th Military Police Battalion was constituted and activated on November 3, 1944 as a "paper organization" and assigned to Requiel Sarthe, France.

On March 24,1945, the 385th MP Battalion was reorganized with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and Companies A, B, and C, and was assigned a Railway Security Mission.

The unit departed France and arrived in Germany on September 4, 1945, where it continued to provide guards for the railway system. Thousands of Military Police rode front-bound freights as train guards. Ex-combat soldiers of the Theater-activated 385th MP Bn knew the rigors of this monotonous, tough life, and for comfort they preferred a foxhole to the bare floor of a 40 & 8. In two months the 385th MP BN had guarded 548 trains of 17,786 cars and traveled 110,000 miles. The box score: no cars pilfered!

On August 1,1946, the Battalion was re-designated as the 385th Military Police Service Battalion and by September 1946 the Battalion was stationed at Seckenheim, Germany. The unit was composed of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and companies A, B, and C, and they provided the MP guards for rail network in and around Munich. 1)

On February 25, 1947, the 385th MP BN was relieved from attachment to the First and Second Military Districts and assigned under the direct supervision of the Provost Marshal Heidelberg and was attached to the Heidelberg Military Community. However, the unit continued to intermittently provide MP's for Railway Security based on an "as needed basis".

The 385th MP Service Battalion was officially inactivated on November 1,1948.

(Webmaster Note: History of the 385 MP BN from 1944 - 1948 during its activation as a Railroad Security Battalion was researched and was copyrighted (c 2004) by Mr. R.L. Gunnarsson, a former Military Policeman and Law Enforcement Officer and a Military Historian. Bob has several completed Military Police Projects Completed and they may be seen on this web site at http://usarmygermany.com/Units/MilitaryPolice/USAREUR_TheaterPM.htm

Former members of the 385th MP BN during 1945 to 1948 having additional information and pictures can contact Bob through this website.)

1) According to a STARS & STRIPES article in the Sept 5, 1948 issue, the 385th MP Svc Bn also operated at least one detachment outside of the battalion's Munich area of operations - a detachment was stationed in Aachen, Germany to guard the EUCOM Exchange System supply trains entering Germany from Antwerp, Belgium.
 
PART 2 - 1955 to 1993
 
The 385th Military Police Battalion was reactivated per USAREUR General Order 1, 7 Jan 55 with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment and Companies A, B and C, and was further assigned to Seventh U.S. Army, with duty station Boeblingen, Germany.

The Battalion, HHD and Companies A, B, and C, were relocated on 19 October 1955 to Wilkins Barracks, Kornwestheim, and remained under the operational control of Seventh U.S. Army. The Companies A, B, and C, 385th MP BN also provided MP honor guard personnel to Headquarters, Seventh U.S. Army, Patch Barracks, Stuttgart- Vaihingen, to perform honor guard ceremonies for the VIP's and Dignitaries visiting the Seventh U.S. Army Headquarters.

The Battalion in its early days was know as the Seventh U.S. Army Combat MP BN, as it provided the Seventh Army units located throughout Germany support during their Maneuvers and field exercises whenever called upon during the Cold War. Some of the maneuvers that the Battalion supported were Reforger I, Operation Free Play, Airlift to Sembach AB and many others.

During 1961, the 385th Military Police Battalion sent a Platoon of Military Police to assist and conduct duty at Check Point Charlie in Berlin. Also, members of the 385th MP BN took part as aggressors during the Annual Army Training Test (ATT) at the Stuttgart training area where MP units from throughout Germany would conduct their annual two-week field training for combat readiness. The 385th MP BN aggressors conducted day and night operations during those ATT's. 

Besides being a Combat MP Battalion, Companies A, B, and C, 385th MP BN, also had a law enforcement mission and provided MP personnel for duty as MP Duty Officer, MP Desk Sergeants, Desk Clerks, Patrol Supervisors and MP Patrolmen for the Stuttgart MP Station in support of the Stuttgart Provost Marshal, Seventh U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) Law Enforcement Mission throughout the Stuttgart PM area of operation. 

During November 1964, Co C, 385th Military Police Battalion was relocated from Wilkins Barracks and headquartered with the 1st and 3rd Platoons at Smiley Barracks, Karlsruhe, Germany, remaining under the operational control of Seventh U.S. Army and provided support to the Karlsruhe Provost Law Enforcement Mission.

Co C, 38th MP BN had detachments in Heidelberg and the 2nd Platoon was headquartered at Wharton Barracks, Heilbronn, which provided support to the Heilbronn Provost Marshal Law Enforcement Mission. 

In June 1965, with the activation of the 15th Military Police Brigade, Frankfurt, Germany, the 31st Military Police Detachment/Area Provost Marshal Office (APM) was activated and headquartered with the Area Provost Marshal Operations (APMO) at Robinson Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. (The 21st Military Police Detachment was activated at the same time in Munich.)

During 1966 the 385th Military Police Battalion was reassigned from the Seventh U.S. Army and assigned with Operational Control to the 15th Military Police Brigade, Kaiserslautern, Germany. Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 385th Military Police Battalion and Companies A and B remained at Wilkins Barracks, Kornwestheim, and supported the Stuttgart MP Station, located at Robinson Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany and provided MP Duty Officer's, Patrol Supervisor's and Military Police Patrolmen. Patrolmen were assigned selected security checks within their assigned patrol areas, to include patrolling dependant housing areas, both on and off the installations, and investigated traffic accidents and incidents, complaints, fights, and domestic disturbances involving members of the U.S. Armed Forces, their dependants and U.S. citizen civilian employees. Completed all reports created on their shift in support of the Area Provost Marshal, North Wurttemburg Area, 15th Military Police Brigade and the USAREUR Provost Marshal Law Enforcement Mission.  

During 1967, the 554th MP Company (Honor Guard) was assigned to the 385th MP BN and located at Patch Barracks, Stuttgart - Vaihingen, Germany, where it was the Headquarters, US European Command (USEUCOM) honor guard company. The 554th MP Company provided physical security for USEUCOM Headquarters and its direct support agencies. The company was equipped with distinctive uniforms and conducts the Honor Guard details for all Headquarters USEUCOM ceremonies.

The 554th MP Co (Honor Guard) also conducted a law enforcement mission, established a crime prevention program, and provided traffic control on Patch Barracks and at the entrances on and off Patch Barracks. The 554th MP Company also patrolled the nearby towns of Boeblingen and Vaihingen and supports the Law Enforcement Mission of the Area Provost Marshal, North Wuerttemberg located at Robinson Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany.

During 1972, Company A, 385th MP BN was headquartered at Wilkins Barracks with its three (3) Platoons to support the Stuttgart MP Station and the Area Provost Marshal North Wurttemburg Area Law Enforcement Mission.  Also during 1972, Company B, 385th MP BN, Wilkins Barracks, Kornwestheim re-located to Heilbronn and was headquartered in Building #1 on the 2nd Floor above the Heilbronn MP Station. The 1st Platoon Headquarters were located on the 2nd Floor, Bldg #1, and had Company B billets on the third floor. 2nd Platoon, Co B, 385th MP BN was headquartered, (- minus 3rd and 4th squads) in Bldg # 135, Cooke Barracks, Goeppingen. The 3rd and 4th squads, 2nd Platoon, Company B, 385th MP BN were located on Bismarck Kaserne, Schwaebisch Gmuend. 3rd Platoon, Co B, 385th MP BN was Headquartered in Bldg #304, Nelson Barracks with three (3) squads in Nelson Barracks, Ulm. 4th Squad, 3rd Platoon, Co B, 385th MP BN was located in Bldg # 306 Dolan Barracks, Schwaebisch Hall.  

Also during 1972, Company C, 385th MP BN was relocated from Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, and Heidelberg to Augsburg. Co C was Headquartered with two (2) Platoons in Augsburg, and one (1) platoon headquartered in Munich with detachments in Berchtesgaden, Bad Toelz, and Garmisch. During 1974 a detachment was established at the American Hotel on Chiemsee. 

The 15th Military Police Brigade was deactivated on 15 July 1975 and the 385th MP BN was reassigned from 15th Military Police Brigade and placed under the Operational Control of VII Corps. 
 

385th MP BN AOR, mid-1980s
 
On 21 October 1977, Lettered Companies A, B, and C, 385th Military Police Battalion were inactivated in Germany and replaced with Numbered Companies: The 300th MP Company was activated at Wilkins Barracks and assigned to the HHD, 385th MP BN and replaced Co A, which was inactivated at Wilkins Barracks. The 194th MP Company was activated at Wharton Barracks, Heilbronn and replacing Company B, which was inactivated at Wharton Barracks, Heilbronn. The 218th MP Company was activated in Augsburg and replaced Company C, which was inactivated in Augsburg, Germany.

The 554th MP Company (Honor Guard), Patch Barracks, Stuttgart - Vaihingen, remained assigned to the 385th MP BN.  

The 218th MP Company was headquartered with two (2) Platoons in Reese Barracks, Augsburg and one (1) platoon located in Von Steuben Hall, Munich with Detachments in Berchtesgaden, Bad Tolz, Garmisch and at the American Hotel, Chiemsee.

During 1982, the 218th MP Company was reassigned from the 385th MP BN to 793rd MP BN remaining in Augsburg under the 793rd MP BN.  Also, the 212th MP Company, headquartered in Wurzburg, was reassigned from the 793rd MP BN to HHD, 385th MP BN, and remained in Wurzburg, thereby putting the 385th MP BN in direct support of the 3rd Infantry Division.
 
The 385th MP BN was inactivated 15 June 1993, per USAREUR Permanent Order 64-6, 22 Apr 93 in Wilkins Barracks, Kornwestheim, Germany.  

(Source of information for Part II: open source information/literature received from former members of the 385th MP BN who served during 1955 to 1993 and verification of certain information from the retired historical 385th MP BN retired TAG files, Carlisle Barracks, PA, which was researched and retrieved by R.L. Gunnarsson during his trips to Carlisle.

Part II was compiled and written by Richard W. Burch, retired Military Policeman and former 1SG of Co B, 385th MP BN, Wilkins Barracks, Kornwestheim, Germany and former MP Operatons NCO, 31st MP Detachment/Office of the Area Provost Marshal, North Wurttemburg Area, Robinson Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany.) 

(For more unit history information of the 385th Military Police Battalion and its subordinate units after the Fall of the Wall in 1989 please see websites listed below in the Realted Links section.)
CORRECTIONS:

(Source: Email from Vern Pike, CO, 385th MP Bn, 1976-77)
1) I was assigned to the 287th MP Company in Berlin (1959-1962) and was the 1st OIC of Checkpoint Charlie in August 1961.  A platoon from "B" Company, 385th MP Battalion, arrived in Berlin in late August 1961, not 1963, to work Checkpoint Charlie and, later, flown by helicopter out to a small exclave called Steinstuecken, belonging to the Berlin-Zehlendorf district, to provide security for the Berliners living out there who were surrounded by barbed wire erected by the communists.  This platoon remained in Berlin and was eventually reassigned to the 287th MP Company.  When I later commanded the 385th (1976-77), I took "B" Company commander, Capt Bruce Cottrell, to Berlin and showed him the "engravings" left on the ceiling of our OP on the top floor of a bombed out apartment building on Zimmerstrasse, facing the communist control point on Friedreichstrasse at the Checkpoint Charlie crossing site.  Those engravings are still there today - all from "B" Company, 385th MP Battalion.
 
2) When the 31st MP Detachment was formed in June 1965, so was the 21st MP Detachment in Munich, assigned to the 385th MP Bn, with MP stations in Munich, Augsburg, Bad Toelz, Garmisch, B-gaden and Chiemsee.
 
3) When the 15th MP Brigade was deactivated in 1975, not 1976, the 385th and 793rd MP battalions were assigned to VII Corps.  When I took command from Rodger Hoff in January 1976, we were a VII Corps separate battalion - the 15 MP Brigade was history.
 
Hope this helps to correct the record. 

385th MP Bn
Kornwestheim

 

1. Capt Metts and 385th Honor Guard, Patch Bks, 1957 (189 KB)
2. 1LT Metts escorts Sec of the Army Brucker, 1957 (KB)
2. LTC Hoff arrives for inspection at Co B, 385th, 1973 (KB)



REFORGER 1973
385th MP Bn

 

1. Members of the 554th MP Co and FJgBtl 750 coordinate convoy support (KB)
2. M113's enter Autobahn near Ludwigsburg (KB)

3. Technical stop near Schwieberdingen (KB)
 
(Source: The Griffin, 15th MP Bde newspaper, June 1972)
Southern Germany's Peace Keepers

The Battalion crest is a green shield with a crossed shepard's crook and sword, yellowiIn color, superimposed upon it. The shepherd's crook, adapted from the arms of several cities of the Rhine province, represents World War II service in that area and is also symbolic of leadership and guidance. The sword and shield indicate the military character of such leadership. The shield rests upon a scroll which bears the Battalion motto: "Honor, Vigilance, Justice."

On November 3, 1944 the 385th Military Police Battalion was activated in France and engaged in its first mission working as a Railway Security Battalion during the Rhineland Campaign of World War II. The 383th was authorized the Rhineland Campaign streamer on December 12, 1945.

Upon cessation of hostilities the 385th was assigned to regular occupational duties over a large area of southern Germany that included Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Augsburg, and Munich. On August 1, 1946 the battalion was redesignated as the 385th Military Police Service Battalion. The battalion's mission remained the same: Railway Security.

The 385th was deactivated at Fuerth, Germany on November 1, 1948. After six years and while still on inactive status, the 385th was redesignated to 385th Military Police Battalion (Army), given a support mission to the U.S. Seventh Army and was reactivated on February 9, 1955.

The 385th relocated to its present station of headquarters at Wilkins Barracks, Kornwestheim, Germany, on October 20, 1955 and placed a platoon at Patch Barracks.

On September 12, 1961, during the tense period when the Berlin Wall was being erected, a platoon of Company B, 385th was attached to the Berlin Brigade.

When the 15th MP Brigade was activated in June 1965, the 385th became a member of it's 14th MP Group. In January 1969, when the 15th Brigade was reassigned to Headquarters USAREUR and Seventh Army, the 385th continued its mission of discipline, law, and order.

On June 3, 1969 the 554th Military Police Company was assigned to the 385th for Physical Security, Honor Guard, and direct support to the agencies of HQ, USEUCOM at Patch Barracks.

Up until June 21, 1971, the 385th was deployed in the Stuttgart area, Neu Ulm, Schwaebisch Gmuend, Schwaebisch Hall, Crailsheim, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Heilbronn, and Patch Barracks (in the Stuttgart-Vaihingen area).

Then the 385th underwent a major change in organization of personnel and locations. The principle transition in the 385th was the acquisition of the South Bavaria Area.

With the redistribution of the location of its forces the 385th vastly expanded its area of support. At the present time the 385th supports the 31st MP Detachment in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Heilbronn, Goeppingen, Schwaebisch Gmuend, Schwaebisch Hall, and Neu Ulm. It also supports the 21st MP Detachment in Augsburg, Munich, Bad Toelz, Garmisch, and Berchtesgaden by providing personnel for MP operations in its respective area of responsibility.
 
If you have more information on the history or organization of the 385th MP Bn, please contact me.
Headquarters & Headquarters Detachment, 385th MP Bn
 
1958
(Source: Email from Ron Rollings)
I was in the 385th MP Battalion in Korwestheim, Germany from 1958-1960. 

I pulled MP duty for just a short while after I got there.  They found out that I could type so I was put in the Personnel Dept. in Headquarters. I was the finance clerk who processed all new people coming into the Battalion and also did all of the payroll. 

I have tried to find some of my old buddies but have had no luck.

HHD, 385th MP Bn
Kornwestheim

 

1. Barracks
2. Inspection
3. Ralph Bates (l) & Ron Rollings
Company "A," 385th MP Bn / 300th MP Co
 
1963
(Source: Jacob A. Albrecht, A Co, 385th MP Bn, 1963-64)
Viewed your website regarding the 385th in Germany. I served with the 385th MP Battalion, Company A from 1963-1964. Nothing but fond memories from my tour there. Of course, having family in Fraudenstaut helped.

No earth shattering events while there. Conducted town patrol for one month, in company one month and in the field for one month. Then it started all over again.

We were not activated for combat support in Germany, but stateside with the 503rd was another story. [Bay of Pigs and University of Mississipppi Racial Riots come to mind.]

They wanted me to re-up in 1964 [Vietnam was really starting to stir] but I elected to go home and do my in-active reserve until discharged.

Have been in law enforcement my entire life. I was with the Florida Department of Corrections [Felony Probation Officer] for 18 years retiring in 2006. Prior to that I retired from the New York State Police in 1988.

I've attached some 385th pictures you could possibly use on your web site.

A Co, 385th MP Bn
Kornwestheim

 

1. Corporal Albrecht (KB)
2. Kornwestheim Barracks (KB)
3. SSGT Cherry, CPLMcGovern & CPL Albrecht (KB)

4. LONG THRUST IX (KB)
5. Platoon members (KB)


A Co, 385th MP Bn
Kornwestheim

 

1. Getting ready to go on patrol (KB)
2. Members of 2nd Pltn (KB)
3. Members of A Co (KB)

4. Lt Burton Browning, Cpt Clyde Metts and Paul Farmer (KB)
5. Operation Free Play, Jan 1959 (KB)
6. Members of A Co (KB)

7. Bill Sweeney on patrol (KB)
8. Bob Ackers with BMW Isetta (KB)
9. Nunn & Strait (KB)


10. Gone, but not forgotten (KB)
11. Mess hall, 2004 (KB)
12. Mess Hall, 1963 (KB)		  

13. Sp3 Al Clark, 2nd Pltn
14. Cpl Freeman, 2nd Pltn, A Co, 1958-60


15. Bill Sweeney
16. Sgt Casey and Jim Lugar, 2nd Pltn


17. The flag is lowered at the announcement of the death of Presiden John F. Kennedy, Nov 1963 		Sources for Photos 13-17:
Al Clark (13)
Ray Dequenne (14, 16)
Harry Gott (17)
Bill Sweeney (15) 		   
 
(Source: Email from R.A. Felker, A Co, 385th MP Bn, 1962-64)

R.A. Felker
  
All pictures were taken between 1962 and 1964 -- all are members of Company A, 385th MP's in Kornwestheim (Wilkins Barracks).

Can't remember all the names. Where has everyone gone? Any one out there with information?

A Co, 385th MP Bn
Kornwestheim

 
1. Members of A Co 385th MP Bn in Kornwestheim, early 1960s (KB) 2. Felker with buddies (KB)

3. 385th mess hall, Wilkins Bks (KB)
 
(Source: Email from George Kloss, A Co, 385th MP Bn, June 1966- June 1968)
I was also stationed at Wilkins Barracks, 385th MP Bn, A Company, from June 1966 to June 1968. I went to 7th Army NCO Acd. and became SGT and transferred to (Schwaebisch) Gmuend for a short time as Squad Leader.

Many memories of Wilkens and Stuttgart down town patrol and Kornwestheim, Sheep Shit Hill. Have some photos but not many, will try to scan and submit. I don't have a list of all members of A-Company at the time.

I continue to look for an old buddy originally from Baltimore MD, by name of Joe McColgan, also known as "MAC". Good to see some of the old photos on web site.

A Co, 385th MP Bn
Kornwestheim

 

1. PFC Kloss (KB)
2. (KB)

3. (KB)

4. (KB)
5. (KB)
6. (KB)

7. (KB)
8. (KB)
9. (KB)

10. Kornwestheim (KB)
11. Kornwestheim (KB)
12. Kornwestheim (KB)

13. Bad Cannstatt Beer Fest (KB) 		     
 
Related Links:
"GUNSLINGER" - 300th Military Police Company - a personal website by James Lybolt for former members of the 300th MP Co, 385th MP Bn, Wilkin Barracks, Kornwestheim
 
Company "B," 385th MP Bn / 194th MP Co
(Source: Email from Dick Burch)

Co "B" AOR 1975
 
Found this in some stuff I had that was sent to me by a former Company Commander, Co B, 385th MP BN, headquartered at Wharton Barracks, Heilbronn.

Map shows the Co B area of operation
1975

SUBJECT: Location Of Units

This unit's headquarters is located at Bldg #1, Wharton Barracks, Heilbronn, Germany. The 1st Platoon headquarters is also located in Bldg #1, Wharton Barracks.

The 2nd Platoon headquarters, minus 3rd and 4th squads, is located at Cooke Barracks in Goeppingen. From Heilbronn take the autobahn to Stuttgart and take Route 10 to Goeppingen. In Goeppingen follow the signs to the Stadion. Cooke Barracks is located on the first right road past the Stadion. The 2nd Platoon minus the 3rd and 4th squads are located in Bldg. #135.

The 3rd and 4th squads are located at Bismark Kaserne in Schwaebisch Gmuend. From Goeppingen (Cooke Barracks) turn right and follow signs to Schwaebisch Gmuend. Take Route 29 to third light. Turn left to Bismark Kaserne and follow signs. The 3rd and 4th squads are located in the first building on the left as you enter the kaserne.

The 3rd Platoon is located in Nelson Barracks in Neu Ulm. From Heilbronn take autobahn E-70 to autobahn E-11 towards Munchen. Take the Ulm cutoff on E-11 not the Neu Ulm, pick up signs to Neu Ulm. When reaching Neu Ulm follow signs to Nelson Barracks. The 3rd Platoon is located in Bldg. #304. This Platoon headquarters is minus the fourth squad which is located in Schwaebisch Hall.

The 4th squad of the 3rd Platoon is located in Bldg #306 at Dolan Barracks in Schwaebisch Hall. Leave Heilbronn on Route 39 and continue to Route 14. Turn left on Route 14 into Schwaebisch Hall. Continue on Route 14 until you come to a hospital and a sign directing to Dolan Barracks, continue to Dolan Barracks main gate and turn right, building is located straight ahead.
 

B Co, 385th MP Bn
Wilkin Bks, Kornwestheim

 

1. SFC Richard Burch (KB)
2. Practicing riot control formations (KB)



Company "C," 385th MP Bn / 218th MP Co
 
1973
(Source: Email from Jim Sewell, C Co, 385th MP Bn, 1973-77)

Jim Sewell, Dec 1973
 
I was stationed with Co C 385th MP Bn in Augsburg from Feb 1973 through Sep 1977.  Our main function was to provide Law Enforcement for the Augsburg Military Community in support of the 21st MP Detachment.  In addition we had personnel in Munich, Bad Tolz, Garmisch, Bertchesgaden, and in 1974 we opened a small station at the American Hotel at Chiemsee.

We were a part of the 15th MP Brigade until it was dissolved and we were attached to VII Corps.  We covered Süd Bayern and it was a very large area.  I remember getting sent to little villages way out in the middle of nowhere to pick up a GI who messed up, or to assist the German Police in dealing with Americans.  The ASA Field Station was outside of Augsburg, just beyond Gersthofen.  They had the best mid-night chow going.  Unfortunately it was about a half hour drive or so, so we could only go one unit at a time, if at all. 

When I first got there we had one battalion of Artillery and one of Armor as well as all the ASA guys and the Hospital.  In about 1975 (I think) two full battalions of Artillery were assigned to Augsburg from Fort Sill.  That was an interesting time, as the "New Kids on the block" tried to flex their muscles, while the "older kids" flexed back, with the Military Police in the middle.  More than one fight was the result.

C Co, 385th MP Bn
Augsburg

 

1. C Co MP's in Augsburg, 1973 (KB)
2. Sewell in front of Augsburg MP Station, 1973 (KB)









MP Station 1976: 
My squad in front of the MP Station in Augsburg in 1976.  Wish I could remember the names of everyone.  Sgt. Johnny J. Acosta is on the far right, and I am 2nd from the right.



Augsburg Military PoliceDesk: 
Desk Clerk, SP4 Phil Good, Desk Sergeant, Jon Evenstead and Patrol Supervisor, Sergeant Jim Sewell behind the desk of the Augsburg MP Station, located at that time on Reese Kaserne.




Hawkins and Corbett . . . Round up of the usual suspects.
Hawkins (without hat) and Corbett shoot the breeze with a group of off duty MP's in the shade in front of the MP Barracks.
PFC Jim Laney, German Policeman Connie Pongratz and PFC Howard.  Laney and Howard worked our  "Funk" Patrols with the German Police.  Pongratz was a liason working on the MP Desk.  He is shown here doing what he did best!  Howard was later awarded the Soldiers Medal for climbing into a 2nd story window of a burning German home and pulling several German kids to safety.  The medal was awarded by Gen. Charles Rogers, who himself had been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in an attack against his Battery in Viet Nam.


Somethings Just Never Change: 
Sergeants Jim Sewell and Jim Laney tossing one back at the Kaiserlinde in 1977 and in 2003 in another bar at the first reunion of Co C 385th MP Bn held at the Rio in Las Vegas. 
1977
(Source: Email from Eldon Taylor)
I was looking through your web site about USAREUR and I noted the picture of one of the train cars used by the USAREUR Commanders and your side note requesting if anyone had information about their use.

I was assigned to the 218th MP Company in Augsburg and attached to the 1st platoon out of Munich.

I can't remember the exact year, I believe it was in 1977 or 1978, when the Supreme Allied Commander, Alexander Haig, visited Munich and I was assigned to the security detail at the train station.

I don't know if the train car shown in the picture is the same one but it looked a lot like it.

Once General Haig left the station on his visit to the military units in Munich, the security detail was invited onto the train for a tour and lunch. It was pretty amazing.
554th MP Company "General's Guard"

Company sign in front of 554th headquarters at Patch Barracks, 1973 (Glen Talley)
981st MP Company
1978
After six years of inactivation, the 981st MP Company was assigned to the U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) and activated 21 August 1978 at Larson Barracks, Kitzingen, Germany.

The 981st MP Co was attached to the 67th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Hawk missile site at Kitzingen, Germany and assigned a security mission. This site was known as NATO Site 35. The 981 st MP Co provided gate guards, tower guards, roving patrols and conducted security checks within NATO Site 35.

On 1 October 1986 NATO Site 35 was closed at Kitzingen and the security mission of the 981st MP Company ended. The 981st MP Company was assigned a law enforcement mission and reassigned to HHD, 385th MP Battalion, located at Wilkins Barracks, Kornwestheim, Germany. The 981st MP Company headquarters remained at Larson Barracks, Kitzingen, with detachments located at Schweinfurt and Bad Kissingen.

During realignment of MP units in Germany due to downsizing, HHD, 385th MP Battalion, Wilkins Barracks was inactivated 15 June 1993 in Germany. At this time, the 981st MP Company was reassigned to the 793rd MP Battalion and remained in Kitzingen with detachments in Schweinfurt and Bad Kissingen. With more downsizing of units in the Kitzingen area, the 981st MP Company was inactivated in Germany.
1986
(Source: FRONTLINE, Oct 17 1986)
981st MP Co. aligns under VII Corps

by Joy Perlongo-Moss

The 981st Military Police Company recently realigned and became part of the 385th Military Police Battalion, a VII Corps asset.

981st MP Co Pocket Patch

981st MP Co Pocket Patch
  
Previously, the 981st MP Co. provided security at the special weapons site in Kitzingen. Soldiers will now perform regular law enforcement duties; duties that will bring them into the public.

"Many of our soldiers come here directly from the MP school at Fort McClellan, Ala. They envisioned themselves wearing the white hat, Class A uniform and spit-shined boots," said 1st Sgt. Curtis Garner. "When they arrived here, they found themselves at the site day after day. Now they are getting the chance to perform the duties they were trained to do."

The 981st MP Co. was last reactivated Aug 21, 1978 as part of the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery, with the special weapons site security mission. Since 1981, there have been 33 major inspections at the special weapons site. These inspections started at brigade level and continued to Department of the Army level.

Inspection standards were very detailed. One minor violation could close the site. The site was never closed while the 981st pulled security duty.

The soldiers worked hard to maintain high standards and keep their reputation as the best in their field. Because of this dedication, the Kitzingen special weapons site, one of four such sues in Europe, was considered a "model" site for the others, according to Garner.

The soldiers of 981st MP Co. will now perform law enforcement duties in Kitzingen, Schweinfurt and Bad Kissingen.

Can anybody provide some details on when these pocket patches were worn?

Lynott on duty in Schweinfurt (Joseph Lynott)
 

Lynott in the Schweinfurt Provost Marshal Office (Joseph Lynott)
 
1988
(Source: Email from Joseph Lynott)
I graduated basic/MP school in December in 1987. I arrived in Germany after a brief leave January 4th 1988.

I have a funny story for you to start this off. Recently I have been researching the MP “tower rats” that guarded all of the NATO “special weapons” sites in Europe especially in Germany during the Cold War days from the mid 1980’s on out. Now in basic training the one thing our drill sergeants loved to do, besides drop you for pushups was to threaten us all with physical security or “tower rat” duty for the entire duration of our enlistments if we didn’t “straiten up and get with the program”. Well, by the time we graduated and having 16 weeks of that BS drilled into our heads, they had us all convinced that getting stationed anywhere in Germany pulling tower rat duty of any kind was literally a fate worse than death….and it was.

So imagine my horror when I first lay eyes on my first set of orders that said, “You are hereby ordered to report to 981st MP Company (Physical Security), Kitzingen, Germany” or words to that effect. Visions of being AWOL started dancing around in my head. I went home on leave in complete utter disbelief.

Like most MP’s, I joined the Army most specifically the Military Police because at the time I wanted a career in law enforcement and I thought the MP’s would be a great place to start. For roughly 15 days I sat at home utterly devastated, scared to death, and wondering WTF I had gotten myself into, and why I didn’t listen to my old man when he pleaded with me to join the Air Force. I was barely 21, (turned 21 in basic training as a matter of fact) immature as all get-out and scared half to death.

So by the time I arrived in Frankfurt after flying from Miami to JFK, 6 hour layover on the ground before going JFK to Frankfurt I could barely distinguish which way was up. For several days I am bounced all over Germany. I think I slept in about 3 or 4 different Army casernes before I made it to the 981st MP Co in Kitzigen. So….when I was in the midst of my in-processing the next day, it was then that I was informed of NATO Site 35’s demise back on October 1st 1986. 981st MP Co was no longer a physical security MP Co and hadn’t been for a hair over a year.

I guess within that time that NS 35 closed the DA hadn’t gotten around to take the (physical security) off the orders template for the 981st. We still had a wartime physical security mission with a FA group that had lance missiles, but NATO Site 35 that was in the 981st’s charge was no more. I can’t recall a time in my life where I breathed a bigger, more satisfying sigh of relief than I did on that day.

So 981st MP Co was divided amongst three different military communities. 3rd platoon and HQ platoon was in Kitzigen; 2nd platoon, which is where I was located, was on Ledward Barracks in Schweinfurt, and 1st Platoon was in Bad Kissingen.

We provided the law enforcement for the Schweinfurt military community on a 3 week rotation schedule. We had a platoon sized element of 3rd Infantry Division MP’s over on Conn Barracks. We did the law enforcement thing for 3 weeks, and the 3rd ID MP’s would go to the field, train or whatever for 3 weeks. Then we’d go play in the bush for 3 weeks and they would do the law enforcement thing.

Of course me being who I was at the time hated anything resembling the field and my motto for the two and a half years I was there was, “If I wanted to go to the field and be a grunt, I would’ve joined the @%#$ infantry!” I loved being an MP and that’s what I joined the Army to do, be a cop for the Army.

Of course 30 years of growing older and maturing made me realize that it was so much more than that. Ironically, today I find myself envying those that got to pull the tower rat duty or those MP’s that were part of the “Berlin Brigade”…two places like Korea and Johnston Island I wanted to avoid like the plague at the time. I find myself wondering often what it must have been like to be part of something so historically significant. Don’t get me wrong the tower rat duty sucked and I don’t believe there is a soul alive that wouldn’t agree with me, but in retrospect it would have been nice to do it for a few months just to have had the opportunity to experience it.

My tour in Germany was mostly uneventful as far as the law enforcement biz was concerned. Routine piss tests had all but eliminated the rampant drug problem in the Army of the late 1960’s and early 70’s. We did have a triple homicide in 1988 or 89 that occurred about a block or two away from Ledward Barracks that involved 2 soldiers, one being the perpetrator, an American AAFES worker and his German wife. Soldier the perpetrator wanted to “get with” the German woman who was in the shower, he panics; he smothers her with a pillow, panics then offs his two buddies who are asleep on the couch with a knife. He spends all night with the bodies, helps himself to a few items in the apartment. He goes to the shopette the next day buys lighter fluid and tries to torch the place. It doesn’t work he eventually gets caught and the rest is history. I

suppose he’s still in Leavenworth making little rocks out of big rocks. The strange thing of it all was, when I first got to Germany I went through the German head start program with this dude!

Then one night I had a kid who had just got promoted from E-2 to PFC and had a little too much to drink fall out of the window of the 3rd floor in his barracks room and die in a German hospital a few hours later.

Those German hospitals were great but operated in a cloak of secrecy of sorts. They were always willing to treat our soldiers but would never, ever reveal what they did to them. The Army wanted to know believe you me, but they would never tell…no matter who you were, or how much rank you had on your collar.

Other than that, my law enforcement time was spent on domestic disturbances, thefts, minor traffic accidents and more bar brawls than I care to talk about. We had four main bars in town that were willing to cater to GI’s and they kept us hopping every weekend let alone the NCO clubs. Those bars were “Subway”, “The Green Goose”, “Zephans” (sp?), and last but not least “The Truck Stop”. The VW vans that we patrolled around in seen here in this picture I sent along sure came in handy when hauling all the drunks to the PMO.

3rd shift was always the best shift to work because other than the action there was a guy named Pedro that ran a “roach coach” that always fed the MP’s for free and would not take our money no matter how insistent we were that he did and since we were always blowing our money on beer and stereo equipment a guy like Pedro was always handy to have around. He would always park right outside the main gate over on Conn Barracks. Rumor had it Pedro was robbed once way before I got there and the MP’s were able to catch the guy and recover his money and he never took an MP’s money after that since.

Other than the law enforcement part of my time there my tour was much like you average everyday soldier in country. Eating good, partying like a rock star, a little travel here and there…those effin’ annoying USAREUR alerts usually after you have been out all night getting shitfaced.

I wish I had the foresight to write a lot of this down while I was over there and took a lot more Army related pictures than I did. I have more pictures of us at barracks parties than I do of us in the field or on duty as MP’s. Sad thing of it is in those barracks parties’ pictures, other than the people in my platoon I can’t remember who any of them are.

The best place to eat in town was a place called “Joe’s Gasthaus”. This guy who owned this joint was a German, who became an American joined the US Army as a cook back in the early 1960’s, then left the Army because they wouldn’t let him cook how he wanted so he came back to Germany but retained his American Citizenship and opened a restaurant a few blocks from Ledward. I don’t believe there was a better place to eat anywhere in Germany than “Joe’s”. I miss that place dearly, and I had heard a few years ago from a fellow veteran who was familiar with the place that Joe had passed away and I suppose after all these years the restaurant is no longer in existence.

I hear after the Soviet Union dissolved and our focus turned toward the Middle East, things just ain’t the same as they used to be over there, and not near as much fun. Man…do I miss the Cold War! I wasn’t in any wicked fire-fights, I didn’t participate in the Bin Laden raid or anything like that, but our mission was special, and it was very important in the role of nuclear deterrence and I think it deserves it’s place in military history.

Again…the website is OUTSTANDING, Walt. I absolutely love it and I would be honored to contribute to it in any way I can.

Related Links

  385th Military Police Battalion - web page on Military.com  
  554th Military Police Company - Facebook page - the 554th MP Company was initially assigned to the USAREUR Advanced Weapons Support Command (AWSCOM) in Pirmasens, Germany (1964-1967). In 1967, the company was reassigned to USEUCOM Headquarters in Stuttgart, when that headquarters set up shop at Patch Barracks, Vaihingen, after having been moved from France. The company became known as the "General's Guard."
The group maintains a second Facbook page for reunions - link.