The 716th Military Police Battalion is the most decorated Military Police Battalion in the United States Army and has provided continuous distinguished service to the nation since its activation on 15 January 1942.
The 716th was initially stationed at Fort Wadsworth, New York City, to provide area security. Following World War II, it moved to Fort Dix, New Jersey, with a mission to provide Military Police support to Headquarters, 1st Army. The battalion also assisted in processing hundreds of displaced Hungarian refugees in support of Operation Mercy.
In September of 1962, the 716th safeguarded the rights of black students during the desegregation of the University of Mississippi.
In 1965, the 716th deployed to support the growing war in Vietnam. It earned the respect and admiration of America for its tenacious defense of the United States Embassy in Saigon during the Tet Offensive. For its valorous efforts, the battalion was awarded the Army Presidential Unit Citation and earned the motto “Saigon Warriors!” To date, it is the Army’s only Military Police Battalion to be bestowed the Nation’s highest unit honor.
In March of 1973, the 716th redeployed to Fort Riley, Kansas, and began its 24-year association with the 1st Infantry Division, the “Big Red One.” The battalion deployed to Operation Desert Shield in October of 1990, and during Operation Desert Storm supported VII Corps, XVIII Airborne Corps, 22nd COSCOM, and the 1st Infantry Division.
In early 1994, the 716th deployed to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, in support of JTF-160 Operation Sea Signal. During the peak of the mission, the battalion provided command and control of nine Military Police Companies and 12 Cuban Refugee Camps totaling 32,000 Cuban and Haitian Refugees.
In September of 1994, the 101st Military Police Company (Air Assault), one of the battalion’s future companies, deployed in support of XVIII Corps and JTF - 180 to Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. The company played a major role in restoring the rightfully elected but deposed government to power and creating a safe, secure and stable environment for the country’s people. For its efforts, the company earned the Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
In June of 1996, the 716th was reassigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, beginning a long and storied association with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Concurrently, the Fort Campbell Law Enforcement Command “Eagle Standards” cased its battalion colors and became a part of the 716th. The battalion assumed command and control of the 101st (Air Assault), 194th, and 551st Military Police companies.
In 2001, the 716th, the 551st and two platoons of the 101st MP Company (Air Assault), deployed to Kosovo in support of Task Force Falcon, 3A. Additionally, as part of the Army’s Transformation, the battalion changed it's motto from “Saigon Warriors” to “Peacekeepers.”
In early 2002, the 716th deployed the 194th and 3rd platoon of the 101st (Air Assault) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where both units served with distinction in
Afghanistan and earned the Army’s Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In September of 2002, the 551st deployed to Djibouti, Africa, to provide force protection for units of the Special Operations Command. Because of the immense operational need, the company deployed from Africa to Iraq via fast sealift ship, where it served with distinction and earned the Army’s Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In March of 2003, the 716th deployed to Kuwait in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” The 101st Military Police Company (Air Assault) also deployed under the control of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). During the deployment, the battalion was awarded the Naval Presidential Unit Citation for its actions in support of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the Army’s Meritorious Unit Commendation. Additionally, the Soldiers of the battalion were awarded 23 Bronze Stars for Valor, 45 Bronze Stars for service, 31 Army Commendation Medals for Valor, and 27 Purple Hearts, four of which were awarded posthumously.
In March of 2004, the 716th redeployed to Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Under Army Transformation, 12 August 2004 marked the inactivation of the 101st Military Police Company (Air Assault) and the activation of the 561st Military Police Company. In December 2005, the 716th deployed to Afghanistan is support of “Operation Enduring Freedom.” The battalion served as the ground maneuver, base and airfield command for Shindand Army Airfield and the surrounding area of operations. Upon transfer of Shindand to NATO control, the battalion relocated to Bagram Airfield where it assumed responsibility for operation of the Base Defense Operation Center, perimeter security, access control, area security and theater response forces earning the Army’s Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In December 2007, the 716th deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09, where the “Peacekeepers” provided command and control of eight MP companies and one U.S. Air Force Security Forces Squadron. During the 15-month deployment, the battalion significantly advanced the operational readiness of the Iraqi Police in the Karkh Directorate of Western Baghdad, with the rotation culminating with the highly successful Iraq Provincial Elections.
From early 2009 until mid 2010, the 218th and 551st Military Police Companies were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The HHD and 561st Military Police company assumed the CBRNE Consequence Management Response Force (CCMRF) mission that successfully ended on 30 September 2010.
In early 2011, the 194th Military Police Company deployed to Ramadi in support of Operation New Dawn. The 561st Military Police Company deployed to Kandahar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In early 2012, the 716th headquarters deployed once again to Afghanistan, this time to mentor and develop the 202d Afghan Uniformed Police Zone Headquarters. The HHD redeployed to Fort Campbell in December 2012.