Detachments

The 218th MP Co was initially deployed at Cam Rahn Bay, Phan Rhang, Dalat and Ban Me Thuot. The Detachments underwent various changes eliminating some locations and adding others such as Vung Ro Bay.

Dalat Airport Lounge and Snack Bar, Center MP villa, far Right Sentry Dog kennels Lang Bein Mtn in background '67. The MP villa that also served as the MP Station was nearly destroyed during Tet and several 218th MPs were WIA.

The MACV compund at BMT ('67) was centered around a huge hunting lodge (L above) where Teddy Roosevelt stayed when he would come to what was then French Indochina to hunt tigers and other wild game. BMT was the destination of many convoys from CRB which the 218th MP Co escorted. The 218th MP Co's BMT Detachment was established when the unit first arrived in Vietnam. (Det area R above) In '68 the MPs were billeted in the former stables of the hunting lodge. The compound was completely destroyed by fire in '69 and the 218th MP Co relocated to the Coryvell (Aviation) compound at the edge of town. The BMT airport was taken over by the 1/17th Air Cav in '69, many 218th MPs were awarded the Air Medal for flying recon missions with this unit.

A detachment of the 218th MP Co was established in Tuy Hoa at the time of the 218th relocation to Nha Trang, some MPs arriving just as the Tet offensive began. Tuy Hoa was also the destination of frequent convoys from CRB. Above, L to R Sandy Lesnick with "armored" jeep; Archie Boggs at the Tuy Hoa checkpoint; and Walt Stevens foreground with mascot and unknown in background prepare for duty at Tuy Hoa.

Top (L) loading .50 caliber ammo before a gunboat misson at Vung Ro Bay '68. Top (C) Military Police museum description of PBRs used in 'nam. Above (L) SGT Wayne Kirby mans a gun turret, (C) MP museum PBR display, and (R) an unknown MP and Kirby (right of picture) don tiger stripes for a mission.

The 218th MPs at Vung Ro Bay were members of the US Army's "Navy" aboard gunboats patrolling the coastal waters to prevent VC from attaching explosives to the hulls of inbound cargo ships.