The U.S. Army never acknowledged the service of the soldiers who served with B Company, 720th Military Police Battalion in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970.
That is until Monday, when 35 former members of the battalion received Bronze Stars for their service, thanks in part to the efforts of Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH).
“The men of B Company were called upon by their nation to perform duties outside what they signed up for, and they rose to the occasion,” he said. “Your sacrifices, and those of your families, will never be forgotten. While this nation continues to owe you and all our Vietnam veterans a larger debt of gratitude, I hope that receiving the Bronze Star will be a step in the right direction in acknowledging your brave actions.”
Known as the “Bushwhackers,” the soldiers provided protection at Long Binh Post, making history as the first American military police battalion tasked with infantry duties.
“Today marks a milestone when our history, at last, meets official recognition of who we were and what we did, to officially set the record straight for our posterity and how we should be remembered,” said Steven Aurilio, a former specialist in B Company, told Stars and Stripes. “This will help bring our members and families a sense of identity and closure and out of the shadows of obscurity.”
Latta received a free copy of a book written by Robert Bogison (Up Close & Personal) that detailed the Bushwhackers' service and history in 2021. Copies were also sent to every Member of the U.S. House of Representatives to appeal for assistance with their effort to obtain either the Army’s Combat Action Badge or Combat Infantry Badge to recognize their unique service during the Vietnam War.
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Latta then reached out to the DOD and the Department of the Army to inquire about the possibility of the group receiving the CIB or CAB recognition. DOD officials undertook an extensive search at multiple personnel records facilities to locate official documentation that could back up claims that the battalion performed infantry actions. The veterans group also provided documentation for the Army to consider, although the documents were in the form of individual accounts and published books.
The Department of the Army found that while the soldiers performed actions that were essential to the success of the entire battalion during the Vietnam War, they did not meet the criteria to qualify for the CIB. The Army then presented the group with two possible courses of action to receive recognition; of the two options, the group chose to have their members individually honored with Bronze Stars.
“War cares not what a soldier’s [Military Occupational Specialty] is,” Aurilio said, referring to the military’s code for specific jobs. “In the field for tactical operations such as ours, the risk and the battle station were the same.”
According to Latta’s office, 56 Bronze Stars have been secured and four are pending review. The medals also honor the scout dog handlers of the 212th Military Police Company.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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