~ 720th MP Battalion Reunion Association Vietnam History Project ~
"Driving General Gustafson"
10 February through 16 February 1970

        At the time of the generals tour I was the driver for LTC Frank W. Richnack, Commander of the 95th MP Battalion, for nearly a week before General Gustafson's arrival.

        I was assigned as the driver for MG Gustafson and I drove him around South Viet Nam to visit other units under his command for that week.

       As I recall, he was originally from the North Dakota/Minnesota border area or had relatives there. Even though a Major General at that time, he was quite down to earth and put his pants on one leg at a time, just like the rest of us.

        I only wish I had written down all the places visited and had taken more & better pictures.

SGT William H. “Bill” Novosad, 615th MP Company, 95th MP Battalion, July 1969 to September 1970.
MG Gustafson (left) and COL Wittwer 18th MP Brigade Commander, 1970.
The Inspection Tour

        Major General Karl W. (Big Gus) Gustafson, Provost Marshal General, United States Army (PMG) and former commander of the 18th Military Police Brigade, returned to Vietnam and his old headquarters during a tour of military police units.

       MG Gustafson arrived at Long Binh Post on 10 February, and began his six-day trip touring MP units throughout South Vietnam. It was his second visit to Vietnam since becoming the PMG.

        The visit began with briefings at the 18th MP Brigade, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) and United States Army Republic of Vietnam (USARV) headquarters.
18th Bde.
MACV
USARV

        The tour began up north at Qui Nhon where he visited the 93rd MP Battalion at Phu Bai, 16th MP Group and 504th MP Battalion at Nha Trang and Cam Ranh Bay .
93rd
16th Group
504th

       During the return trip south the PMG stopped at the 188th MP Company in Can Tho, the 716th MP Battalion in Saigon, and the 8th MP Group (CI), 95th MP Battalion and 615th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion and 212th MP Company at Long Binh Post.
716th
8th Group
95th
720th

        General Gustafson addressed a group of military police officers senior noncommissioned officers and enlisted MPs on 16 February, on the mission of MPs in Vietnam and throughout the Army.

        "The average military policeman graduating from Fort Gordon’s basic MP course has fourteen and one-half years of schooling--that’s two and a half years of college," he said. “That’s the best the Military Police Corps has ever seen. And we have to motivate and challenge these men,” the major general continued, “because they’re sharp.”

        “Give them a chance to try out their ideas, “ he admonished, “Don’t have them always do it just your way.”

        The Provost Marshal General also mentioned, “Some of the time the attitude is don’t rock the boat.” “I want new ideas that show how to do the job better.”

        On another topic he added that the MP’s are now a combat support unit. “We’re up with the combat arms, and division commanders are saying, “Give me more MP’s!”

        “I’m proud of you, “ he concluded, “and I’m proud of the job you are doing.”

The formal address ended the major general’s visit.
 
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