CONTENTS
Music - Theme "Cops"
545th MP Company
1st Cavalry Division
CID, PMI, MPIS AND OTHER INVESTIGATIVE ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE 1ST CAVALRY DIVISION
A PICTORIAL HISTORY
As of January 26, 2012
Unlike the MP’s who often make the front pages, the investigative agents of the 1st Cavalry Division were of necessity – low key and out of sight. They also did not like to have their photo taken for obvious reasons. It has taken me over a year to put this document together and hopefully, when the first version goes out to our members I’ll receive additional information to include in it. In the meantime, enjoy this little walk through the unit history.
Horse Cavalry
During the 1800’s on the western plains prior to the famous old Cavalry Regiments being assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, each regiment had a regimental Provost Sergeant or Sergeants as the need arose. Rudimentary investigations such as the location of the local still that continued to provide moonshine to the troopers and who ran it were probably conducted by the Provost Sergeant. Or – who had set up the local red light crib just down the road from the post gate was also conducted by the Provost Sergeant. More serious investigations concerning felony offenses such as assaulting an officer, probably had a line troop officer assigned that duty by the regimental adjutant or commander?
Fort Bliss
To this writer’s knowledge, there were no CID agents assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at this time in the units’ history
Australia
To this writer’s knowledge, there were no CID Agents assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at this time in the units’ history.
Pacific Theatre and WW II
The earliest historical reports that the Association has on file are dated 1944 and the morning report nor the historical report make mention of any CID detachment or individual agents being assigned to the division at this time. The major law enforcement problem it seems at this time was looting (by both enemy combatants and allied soldiers) and public intoxication (captured rice wine seems to be the major contributor for this)
Japan
There was a CID Laboratory in Japan during the Occupation and thanks to PFC C.D. George, who served in the old MP Platoon, Hqs Troop, 1st Cav Div at Camp Drake from 1946 until 1948 we now know that there were about a dozen CID investigators (both Warrant and Enlisted) assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division in the 1940’s at Camp Drake (PFC George is a member of our association). The CID investigators had unmarked jeeps which were maintained in the MP motor pool and lived in separate barracks. They did share the operations room with the MP Patrolmen and turned in their reports to the MP Operations Sgt or Desk Sgt along with the regular MP’s. The CID agents ate in the MP Mess Hall and picked up their mail at the MP Mail Room. Although they had their own interpreters, they also used the interpreters assigned to the MP Platoon at times. In addition to a heavy Black Market case load, the CID also worked closely with MI and Customs as there was also the threat of war with Russia and they (Russia) had agents and spies in Japan at that time in large numbers. The Army commander also authorized each division in Japan to form an MPIS (Military Police Investigative Section) that would report directly to the Division Commander(s). In many cases the Provost Marshal did not even know who they were. The MPIS handled mostly Black Market cases and even watched the MP’s closely. As per MSG Roger Everhart (a member of our association) who worked on the Provost Marshals staff at Camp Drake, there was a MAJ Meagher who ran the MPIS and his clerk was SGT Hickey, but not much is known of their activities other than MAJ Meagher got into a bit of trouble with evidence accountability.
When the 545th returned from Korea to Japan in the 1950’s there were CID agents in the 1st Cavalry Division. SFC Mac McCarty (a member of our association) was assigned to MPCI in the 8th Cav area at Camp Whitt, Japan with SSG Roberts and they were not billeted with the MP Platoon but in town away from the troops. Mac informs us that there was a SGT Gistlink who was CID and a W4 CID investigator also assigned but Mac can’t remember the W4’s name.
So we have proof positive that as far back as Japan in the 1940’s there were CID investigators within the 1st Cavalry Division at least at Camps Drake, Crawford and Whitt.
MAJ Steward was a Staff PIO Officer with the 1st Cavalry Division
Korea
From this point on in the unit history we have a lot of information as well as photos as many of our association members that were CID or PMI types and were on the 545th morning report.
CPT James W. Keefe (Ret) who was CID Chief in the 545th at Camp Custer, Korea 1963 – 1964
Until his demise, James was a member of our Association
1SG (Ret) Larry J. Breukelman was a PMI Investigator at Camp Custer, Korea 1963 - 1964
Larry is a member of our Association
Unknown 545th CID Investigator on the left, Richard Mapes center and John Schott on the right (both PMI) at Camp Korea 1963 – 1964
1st Cav CID Office at Camp Custer, Korea 1963
From left to Right
Richard Mapes, Unknown, Mr. Wilson, Mr Sparks, Mr. Lynn, Chief Keefe presenting a Spook award to GEN Brown (DCG 1st Cav), LTC Keelean (Div PM), Bob Cherry, Harry De Jongh, Earl Bodiford and Mr Spinoza
Sp/4 Hyland, 545th MPI Investigator and Korean National Police Detective Ahn discuss a statement concerning a case they are investigating at Camp Custer, Korea
Vietnam
CW 4 James M. Fowler
Served in the 545th from 1965 – 1967
James is a member of our association
545th CID Investigator Sp/7 Walsh in Vietnam 1967
SP/7 Walsh in front of the CID shack at Phouc Vinh, RVN 1971
Sp7 Walsh check out a file in the CID shop, Phouc Vinh 1970
Chief Kocery in the CID Shop, Phouc Vinh, RVN 1971
Chief Pachinko in the Phouc Vinh CID Shop in Vietnam 1968/69
CW 3 Robert W. Moody receiving awards at Phouc Vinh, RVN 1969
Robert is a member of our association
CW2 Nelson and CW2 Wahl in Phouc Vinh, RVN 1969
CW 3 Thomas Whitacre Chief CID in Phouc Vinh, RVN 1969
Chief Whitacre hard at work in Vietnam
Chief Whitaker’s entire CID Crew in Phouc Vinh, RVN 1969
The Chief is on the right
Mr Wanko, CID Phouc Vinh, RVN 1969
Chief Pachecko CID Phouc Vinh, RVN 1968
SSG Victor M. Alvarez
545th CID Investigator
1968-1969 and 1970
SSG Alvarez is a member of our Association
and our association Webmaster
SGT Ray M. Ross, PMI Investigator
545th MP Co, Phouc Vinh, RVN 1968
SGT Ross is a member of our association
SGT Roger Lane, 545th CID Investigator, Tay Ninh RVN 1969
Roger is a member of our Association
CID office sign at Phouc Vinh RVN
SGT Richard Adams, 545th
MP Co PMI Investigator
Richard is a member of our association
Desert Storm
As per COL Anthony Lupo who was the 1st Cav Provost Marshal (and a member of our association) during Desert Shield/Storm, there were 10 CID agents from Fort Hood who deployed with the 545th to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield/Storm:
Mr. Stallings, Mr. Todd Yarnes, Mr. Welch, Mr. Voss, Mr. Sanchez, Mr. Railey, Mr. Wayne Izumi, Mr. Ketchum, Mr. Schlise, and Mr. Wunderlich.
Although they all traveled to Saudi Arabia with the 545th, they did not all stay with the Division. Those that did stay did undertake several investigations (mostly drugs and alcohol through the mail) during the Desert Shield Phase. They reported directly to the Chief of Staff (COL Leon LaPorte) and to the CG (BG John Tilelli).
Humorous historical note: COL Lupo states that unused to field operations in the beginning of their deployment, it took the CID Detachment 4 hours to set up their GP Medium the first time they tried to do it. After the 2nd or 3rd move they got much better at it!
NO PHOTOGRAPH AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
1SG Wayne Izumi
Served with the 545th MP Co in the CID from 1990 – 1991
Wayne is a member of our association
Bosnia
CW 4 (ret) Brian Grossman
Served with the 545th in Bosnia from 1998 – 1999
Brian is a member of our association
Afghanistan
There are no members or photographs available at this time
Operation Iraqi Freedom
There are no members or photographs available at this time
Fort Hood, Texas
CW-3 Bob Busby, photo taken 1991
SGT Bob Busby
Served with the 545th at Ft Hood as PMI
1972 – 1974
Bob is a member of our association
NO PHOTOGRAPH AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
SFC Robert Pojar
Served with the 545th at Ft Hood as PMI
1977 – 1980
Robert is a member of our association
545th PMI Investigators Mr. Pomeroy and Mr. Sliozis at Ft Hood mid 1970’s
Batman and Robin
MPI Sect at Ft Hood 1976
As per Sp/4 Greg Trudell, who served in the 545th MPI as well as the III Corps MPI from 1973 – 1976, this was a very active and interesting time for the Military Police at Ft Hood. A large number of soldiers were returning from Vietnam with drug problems which they brought with them to Ft Hood. Steve Eicherly was 545th CID at this time and Greg and Al Biggerstaff were assigned by the 545th MP Co to III Corps MPI. The MPI office at this time was housed in a two story billet that was located next to the main (III Corps) PMO and the main commissary was within walking distance. The MPI Office was divided into four sections, general investigations, Pawn shop detail, Vice and Drugs and Intelligence and Physical Security. There were two 545th PMI that worked out of the 1st Cav PMO, Charles E. Cox and Sp/4 Pennewell. These two were known as Batman and Robin! Charlie Cox later became a Major with the Bell County Sheriff’s Office in Belton, Texas. Later they added a female investigator, Cathy Eicherly who was married to Steve from CID. Sometime in 1976, they pulled the MPI and CID from III Corps and returned them all to the 545th MP Co. Greg Trudell is a member of our association.
At Fort Hood, the 11th MP Det. (CID) was reactivated for REFORGER 83. This photo taken in Borkin, Germany during that exercise and pictured L to R is Special Agent Theron Smith, CW3 Neil Krans, Opns Officer, CPT Strite Commander, and Special Agent Cindy Orton-Wilson in the 545th Co AO.
Bill Strite is a member of our association.
Our very own 1SG Szczepankiewicz was Senior MPI Investigator under COL Treuting, the Div PM from 1993 until 1994
Anyone having photos, documents or information to add, please contact the originator of this document listed below.
Sam Reinert
Founder
545th MP Co Assn
545th Military Police Company Association
626 1/2 South
9th Street
Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA
765 962 4627 phone & FAX
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