75 Years Ago Today
On June 25, 1943, the 289th Military Police Company was first activated at Fort Custer, Michigan. When the 289th joined the Old Guard in 1994, it already had decades of history associated with it. The 289th deployed in support of World War II, and later during the Korean War, earning battle streamer for both.
During the Korean War, the 289th deployed from Fort Sam Houston to Inchon, South Korea on Thanksgiving Day, 1950. From Inchon, they moved south of Pyongyang, North Korea. By January 1951 the unit moved to Seoul, South Korea. In Seoul, the 289th was tasked with assisting the Eighth Army during it withdrawal from Seoul, guarding the Han River pontoon bridge. The 289th guarded the crossing until January 4, 1951, when it was destroyed to keep the Chinese Communist Forces from advancing.
Later the 289th supported missions ranging from securing supply routes against guerrillas hostile to United Nations forces, providing security at POW camps, serving as Provost Marshal in several South Korean cities and serving as escort to the Neutral Nations Inspection Team after the armistice was signed.The 289th MP Company would be inactivated in South Korea on June 3, 1955. One year later, the 289th would be activated again in Japan for a two year period, remaining inactive until it joined the Old Guard in 1994.