CONTENTS
545th Military Police
Company
1st Cavalry Division and Arctic MP BN
CHRISTMAS IN THE
545TH MP COMPANY
A Pictorial History
As January 26, 2012
Since the days of the old horse cavalry on the
western plains, the cavalry troopers have celebrated Christmas. Most
of the troopers in the old cavalry regiments were of German, Irish
or Italian descent and were predominately Catholic with a few German
Lutherans thrown in for good measure. Even many of the Indian Scouts
were converted Christians. We know that they carried on the
traditions of a Christmas tree and a turkey Christmas dinner as well
as many of the other Christmas trimmings and traditions that we know
and observe today. Of course being cavalry troopers there was
probably a little “holiday cheer” to be found within the regiments
as well and the old Provost Sergeants were probably a little busy
during this period of time. The following is a pictorial history of
the Christmas activities of the 545th MP Company throughout its
history and has been made possible by the many contributions of
photographs and historical documents provided by the members of the
unit association. I hope you enjoy viewing this document as much as
I did putting it together!
Western
Plains
Cav troopers during the Indian Wars often had to
enjoy their Christmas dinner at lonely camp fires on the Western
Plains in the old Line Regiments
Fort Bliss, Texas
Sadly, there are no photographs available at this
time for Christmas activities at Fort Bliss. We do know that prior
to the formation of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss, the old
cavalry Regiments that were later to become part of that unit were
authorized by the War Department to procure from the local economy,
smoked hams and other such supplies that would provide a plentiful
Christmas Dinner for the troopers.
This painting by Remington depicts the troopers of the 7th Cav
roasting a Christmas beef at Christmas on the western plains
somewhere near Fort Bliss, Texas. Note the snow capped Franklin
Mountains in the background
In addition to what the Quartermaster
procured from the local economy, the troopers probably hunted and
brought in such items as deer and wild turkey which were plentiful
on the western plains at that time. Later as the 1st Cavalry
Division and the MP Platoon were formed, the old adobe barracks and
mess halls gave way to modern brick barracks and mess facilities
until the build up for WW II began and they had to construct framed
wooden barracks to facilitate all the incoming troopers, Christmas
dinner became more formal and organized. It was prepared in modern
facilities and all the troopers ate heartily of the plentiful
Christmas bounty. 1942 was the last year that the 1st Cavalry
Division celebrated Christmas at Fort Bliss. By the summer of 1943
they were in Australia and getting ready to ship out for the Pacific
Islands.
Australia
The 1st Cavalry Division did not spend Christmas is Australia. By
the time Christmas rolled around in 1943 they were in the midst of
WWII in the Pacific Theatre.
Pacific Theatre
The pace of combat was hectic and as there were no static bases or positions until the cessation of hostilities, there were no Christmas celebrations during WW II in the Pacific Theatre and therefore no photos available that we have knowledge of at this time. Some real echelon units did receive hot turkey for Christmas during WW II, but most line units were lucky to receive hot canned turkey roll or hot K Rations during WW II in the Pacific Islands.
Japan
As per SGT Lehman (Deceased), MSG Everhart, CPL Whalen and PFC George – all members of our association who served at Camp Drake Japan, there was a hot Christmas meal in 1947 – 1949 at Camp Drake and cigars were passed out to all the Division troopers on Christmas day. Aside from a Christmas tree at Division Headquarters, there were no decorations of note anywhere in the barracks or orderly room.
1CD Christmas Card 1953
Korea
During the Korean War, the action was so intense and the movements so frequent and far reaching that most units, including the 545th MP Company had no Christmas dinner to speak of. MSG Everhart tells us that it was just another day in the War for him and his POW collection detachment. After the Korean War in the late 1950’s and during the early 1960’s there were some great Christmas activities in the 545th MP Company.
Santa (545th MP Leroy Slater) departs the 545th Orderly Room at
Camp Custer on a candy cane run to the local village in an ox cart
1963
Santa has left Camp Custer and is enroute to the local village with
candy canes and candy bars for all the local children
Our very own SGT Shook (in foreground) passing out candy bars to the
local Korean children in the village of Pajuri just outside the main
gate at Camp Custer, Korea 1963. SSG John Shook is a member of our
association
Another good shot of SGT John Shook (second from left in photo)
and SSG Johnson with a box of Clark Bars for the Korean Children
Santa in all his Glory!!
The Korean children are really enjoying the visit from the 545th Santa 1963
Aside from the MP’s on duty – just about the entire company
was present for this event including the Commander and First
Sergeant and the Korean National Police Helped as well.
Vietnam
CPT
Sam Reinert and 1SG Bill Sykes in the MP Club with Santa. Phouc
Vinh, Vietnam 1969
Christmas Card from the Cav troopers in Vietnam
A little Christmas party at the 545th command CP in Vietnam 1967
Christmas in a 545th Squad tent in Vietnam 1967
Christmas at the Plt Command hooch LZ English 1967
The 545th even invited a captured NVA Scout to the Xmas party in
1967
545th MP Co Christmas tree in RVN 1967
SGT’s Dell and Monzo and an unidentified MP at LZ English 1967
Sgt Dell is a member of our association
Christmas in the 1st Platoon, 545th MP Co circa 1967 RVN
1st Cavalry Division Christmas card 1970
Christmas at LZ Buttons, Song Be, Vietnam 1969
Bosnia
At the time of the writing of this document, there are no
Christmas photos available from the 545th MP Co in Bosnia.
Afghanistan
At the time of the writing of this document,
there are no Christmas photos available from the 545th MP Co in
Afghanistan.
Desert
Shield/Storm
1st Cav Christmas card 1990
Christmas Day in the Desert. You would never guess it, but Santa is
really our very own LTC Lupo who was the Division PM at the time.
LTC Lupo is a member of our Association
Iraq War
6th Platoon, 545th MP Co Charlie Brown Christmas Tree 2004
SGT Tony Jannotti of the 545th MP Co tells Santa what he wants
for Christmas in Baghdad
545th MP Co Christmas party in Baghdad 2004
Santa’s Helper in Baghdad - SSG McQueen is a member of our association
545th Xmas tree in Iraq 2009
Fort Hood
During Christmas of 1970 there was a rare snow fall on Christmas
Eve and they had to brush the snow off the Cav Patch painted on a
rock in the company area
545th MP writes Santa a ticket at Fort Hood 1971
Santa inspecting Guard Mount at Fort Hood 1976
545th MPs Glenny, Pertee and Kurbo in the barracks at Ft Hood
1987
Ronnie Rogers, PFC Pertee and SP4 Karl in the barracks at Ft Hood
1987
Christmas at Fort Hood, 1995
SPC Kozer, SGT King,
CPL Stitzer, Santa (unknown), SPC Dematty, SPC Johnson and SFC
Miller
Fort
Richardson
Here is a great shot of the very first Christmas celebrated by the newest members of the 545th MP Company at Fort Richardson in 2007 and note the snow shoes!
545th Christmas trees decorated by the family readiness group at
Fort Richardson 2008
Santa, his little helpers and the good kids in his sleigh at Ft
Richardson 2008
SPC Shakal, SGT Venezuela and PFC Skutt good little Santa’s
helpers all at Ft Richardson 2009
Christmas in the 545th 2009
Santa has been to the 545th 2009
Santa's little helpers at the Mpost Exchange 2011
"A Different Christmas Poem"
"A Soldiers Silent Night" Video
"The First Noel" Allison Crowe Video
Should anyone viewing this document have any
photos that they would like to share with us for inclusion in this
photo history, please send them to:
Sam Reinert
CPT MP USAR (Ret)
Founder
545th Military Police Company Association
626 1/2 South 9th Street
Richmond, Indiana 47374 USA
(765) 962 4627 phone & FAX
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