504th Military Police Battalion

• World War II Origins: The 504th Military Police Battalion was first constituted on 29 July 1942 and activated on 20 August 1942 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, playing a critical role in the European Theater. • Normandy Invasion: Elements of the unit participated in the D-Day invasion, providing traffic control and security during the Allied landings in France. • Battle Honors: The battalion earned campaign participation credit for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe during WWII. • Prisoner of War Operations: The 504th MP Battalion was instrumental in handling and processing thousands of Axis prisoners of war in Europe. • Cold War Service: After WWII, the battalion was reactivated during the Cold War, serving at various times in Germany and the United States in support of U.S. Army operations. • Vietnam Era: The battalion was inactivated and reactivated several times, reflecting the changing needs of the Army, including during the Vietnam era. • Desert Shield/Desert Storm: The 504th MP Battalion deployed to the Middle East during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, providing military police support in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. • Homeland Security Missions: In more recent times, the battalion has supported homeland security and disaster response operations within the United States, including during Hurricane Katrina. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The battalion deployed to Iraq, where it provided law and order operations, convoy security, and detainee operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. • Current Role: Today, the 504th Military Police Battalion is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, and continues to provide law enforcement, force protection, and emergency response support for military communities.