The new United States Disciplinary Barracks located in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas that was approved in 1994 to house long term, sentenced military prisoners. This is where violators of the UCMJ who are apprehended by the Military Police and are sentenced by a Courts Martial for serious offenses are sent for long term confinement.  Although the 545^th MP Company has never had any specific duties at this facility, several of its veterans have served in the older facility as confinement specialists and there were at least two inmates confined there that were originally apprehended by members of the 545^th MP Company.  One of our Company Commanders, Jonathon S. Van Horn who commanded the 545^th MP Co in Korea in the 1960’s later became the Commandant of the Disciplinary Barracks here at Fort Leavenworth

This is a shot of the old USDB often called the Castle that existed for 127 years prior to the new facility being constructed. The approved and authorized mode of execution at this facility was hanging and the Military Police Corps has always had a “Hangman” stationed at this facility

The old Fort Bliss Guard House constructed in 1893 and still standing today with two of the old Provost Sergeants standing on the porch with their Guard Detail.  Actual date of photo is unknown.  This is where the 1^st Cav military prisoners were held in the basement cells.  The locks on these cells still function to this day.  The building is presently used by the Ft Bliss Post Engineers for records storage.

Other than temporary holding facilities for POW’s which were mainly barbed wire enclosures with tents to house the prisoners, the three main temporary POW Camps were at Luzon, Mandaluyong Airfield and Manila.  To date, I have not been able to find any photos of confinement operations for this time frame.

1^st Cav MP’s rounding up Japanese POW’s upon entering Tokyo circa 1945

MP Platoon member PFC C.D. George on duty at the Camp Drake Stockade on Post #1 (Main Gate) on July 23, 1947.  PFC George is a member of our association and informs us that originally the 5^th Cav Regiment had charge of the Camp Drake Stockade and did not care for the duty.  Since the Japanese POW’s were being placed back into the population by 1947, the MP Platoon had more manpower available to take over duties at the Stockade and assumed that duty sometime in 1947

MP Platoon members guarding Camp Drake Stockade prisoners on work detail in front of the MP barracks, July 12, 1947.  PFC C.D. George (wearing the yellow MP Helmet) has his back to the camera

Kojo-do POW Collection Facility in Korea where 1^st Cav POW’s were sent for confinement.  Although the 545^th MP Co did not operate this facility, it was called upon on numerous occasions to assist with riot control as agitators were often found among the prisoners who caused riots and discontent.

View of Kojo-do POW Camp from a Guard Tower

545^th MP’s bring in Chinese POW’s in Korea 1951

CPT Lee, UNK Driver, SSG Charazan and CPL Everhart, the 545^th MP Co POW Collection Team in Korea, 1951 MSG Everhart (Ret) is a member of our association

545^th MP Co SSG Nakashima, POW NCOIC in Korea 1950

 Lt. Lee, 545^th MP Co POW Officer, Chipyong, South Korea 1950

North Korean POW’s held by the 545^th MP Co at Kunu-Ri, N. Korea 1950

Prisoners in a compound of the Koje-Do POW Camp.

Entrance to VC Cage at LZ Hammond 1966

View from helicopter of VC Cage at LZ Hammond 1966

Three VC Detainees in one of the GP Medium tents provided for shelter within the Division VCC Enclosure 1966

1^st Cav Div Temporary Stockade at An Khe 1967.  This facility was near the airport and was used as a temporary holding facility for American prisoners who were awaiting transport to the Long Binh Jail

1^st Cav Div POW Collection Point RVN 1969

545^th MP Co POW Collection Point, LZ Two Bits, RVN 1967

Guard Tower at the Div POW Compound

Two unidentified 545^th MP’s at the Cav POW Compound circa 1969

545^th MP Co. Drunk Tank and Holding Cell with 2 unidentified Turn Keys RVN 1969

1^st Plt, 545^th MP Co POW Collection Point at LZ English circa 1967

545^th MP Company POW Collection Point at LZ Two Bits RVN 1967

Note the First Team’s Finest unit designation on the sign

POW Compound at LZ Two Bits 1967

POW Compound at LZ Two Bits 1967

Entrance to the Central Collection Point for Civilian Detainees at Bong Son, RVN, April 1967

View of the CD Camp at Bong Son, RVN, April 1967

Another view of the CD Camp

Bringing captured VC Rice to the CD Camp at Bong Son 1967

Unidentified 545^th MPs in CD Compound at Bong Son 1967

Civilian Detainees at CD Camp, Bong Son RVN 1967

Vietnamese Gate Guards at CD Camp, Bong Son, 1967

Living Conditions for Civilian Detainees at CD Camp, Bong Son, 1967

Note the C Ration boxes

Long Binh Jail where 1^st Cavalry Troopers in need of behavioral modification therapy were transported by the MP’s of the 545^th MP Company on a frequent basis.  Although the 545^th had nothing to do with the operation of this facility, we did often send a squad or even a platoon on one occasion to assist with riot control.

Another view of the Long Bien Jail

Sign at the Main Gate to Long Bien Jail

Outer perimeter fence at Long Bien Jail

545th MP Company Temporary Detainee holding pen at LZ English 1967

545th MPs returning to helicopters with VC Suspects after a Cordon and Search mission in Bong Son Valley 1967

VC Captured in Bong Son Valley 1967

One of the many trucks from Division Trains that constantly hauled EPW’s as the Iraqis were surrendering by the thousands and would even give themselves up to TV Reporters and unmanned aircraft!

Just one of the hundreds of EPW Collection points set up during Desert Storm

EPW’s Captured by the 1^st Cav and held by the 545^th MP Co

Another group of EPW’s held by the 545^th MP Co in Desert Storm

2^nd Platoon, 545th MP Co secures and then transports EPW’s in Iraq

Unidentified 545^th MP Searches an Iraqi EPW

2^nd Platoon, 545^th MP Company transfers EPW’s to the rear during Desert Storm

Another batch of EPW’s held by the 545^th MP Co during Desert Strom

Iraqi EPW’s being herded by the 545^th MP’s during Desert Storm

545th MP Company EPW Operations Crew

545^th MP’s with detainees in Baghdad

Terrorists captured by the 545^th in Iraqi Police Station in Baghdad

Detainees being held by the 545^th in Baghdad

Terrorists captured by the 545^th in Baghdad

More terrorists taken by the 545^th MP Co in Baghdad

Another good catch by the 545^th

This 545^th MP Company Confinement Operations Pictorial History has been compiled by CPT Sam Reinert who commanded the unit in Vietnam from 1969 – 1970 and would not be possible without all the contributions of great photos from members of the unit association.  Many of the 545^th MP’s pictured herein are alive and well to this date and members of our unit association. 

Any additions or corrections to this document should be sent to: