WWII U.S. Military Police badge

[2xvetran]

Hello all, I am looking for some help on this whistle and badge. I got these from a local veteran who was in Omar Bradleys 12th Army in WWII. I have never seen a Military Police badge like this and was hoping someone could tell me more about it and possibly give a valuation? Sorry for the pictures but I have a cheap camera, thanks for any help. Scott.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-4139-127948675181.jpg.jpg]http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-4139-127948679463.jpg.jpg]http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-4139-127948683473.jpg.jpg]

[Mervyn Mitton]

Hi - Scott. What an unusual and interesting badge - if only it could 'talk'. We see very little from the US on this sub-forum - which is a pity with all of the different Forces. I would say that this is exactly what it states to be - the U.S. Military Police and special duties - perhaps patrolling captured towns or, areas. I don't think it means he was patrolling US Army lines.

I think that only someone with access to US military records could find out the exact duties and numbers - but, I would consider it a fairly rare item with this wording. See if anyone can come-up with a positive i.d.. Value wise - perhaps as much as a £100 ($160) - all depends on numbers. Another thought - British M.P.'s regularly patrol civilian areas checking on military personnel. Perhaps this was the equivalent for the US whilst they were in the UK and before 'D-Day' ? This would explain English for Patrolman.

However, before going off on sidetracks - it needs to be established that this is not the standard wording on M.P.'s badges of that period ?

[Mike Dwyer]

Scott,

As a former US Army MP I have to say I've never seen a badge like that. It's possible that it may have been a locally purchased and used badge, completely unauthorized, of course, but some Provost Marshals did lots of unauthorized things in the old days. For most of their existence, the US Army Military Police Corps didn't use badges (except for CID Agents), they simply used the armband or brassard of black cloth or plastic material with big white MP letters on it. When I was an line MP, 1977-1980, we only wore the armband on the fatigue uniform. We weren't allowed to wear the fatigue uniform for normal law enforcement duties, it was reserved strictly for field duties. On patrol we wore the kahki uniform with short sleeved shirt in the summer, and our dress green uniform in the winter, with the white MP hat. When the kakhis were phased out we wore the new light green shirt with the dress green trousers. We wore a pewter metal badge that hung from our shirt or jacket pocket button that looked like this:

I guess MP's still have badges, but I haven't seen one being worn in years. With the new battle dress uniform they've taken to wearing a small panel on the upper arm with MP on it. The last MP I saw wearing a badge was from Ft. Myers, VA and he was at a funeral in Arlington Cemetary and he was wearing the dress blue uniform.

[2xvetran]

Thank you both for the info. The gentleman who the badge belonged to passed away last year. What I do know is that he was in England, France, and Germany. His company was assigned to Gen. Bradleys headquarters for personal security. As he was only a PFC, I thought it rather unlikely that he made a private purchase of the badge, but certainly not impossible. I have some period photos of him in Europe and a copy of a personal letter that General Bradley sent him in 1964 shortly after the 20th anniversary of the Normandy landings. I am interested in trading or selling this as it doesn't go with my current collection if anyone is interested. I would of course send the letter and other documents regarding this soldier. Thanks again Scott.

[2xvetran]

Hello all, I am looking for some help on this whistle and badge. I got these from a local veteran who was in Omar Bradleys 12th Army in WWII. I have never seen a Military Police badge like this and was hoping someone could tell me more about it and possibly give a valuation? Sorry for the pictures but I have a cheap camera, thanks for any help. Scott.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-4139-127948675181.jpg.jpg]http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-4139-127948679463.jpg.jpg]http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_07_2010/post-4139-127948683473.jpg.jpg]

Hello all, I have placed these items as well as some others belonging to the same soldier, for sale in the appropriate thread if any are interested. There is a price listed, but as I am uneducated in this area I am quite willing to negotiate. Scott.

[speagle]

Hello all, I have placed these items as well as some others belonging to the same soldier, for sale in the appropriate thread if any are interested. There is a price listed, but as I am uneducated in this area I am quite willing to negotiate. Scott.

Thought folks might like to read a little history about the Military Police Corps.

ALSO: Here are some shots you may be interested in.

The first is of my Dad while stationed at Ford Ord, California in the late 1950s. He never wore a badge, just the brassard he has on.

The second is an older version worn in the mid 60's.

Ed

[speagle]

These are what we used to wear.

1. US Army Military Police (green/yellow hatband)

2. US Air Force Air Police (Earlier versions had a white hatband)

Ed

[speagle]

Old badges and current patches

US Army MP badge and the 2X4 inch velcro patch now worn.

Check out the website. It gives an interesting history of the MPs as well as some interesting links and graphics:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Police_Corps_(United_States_Army))

Ed

Edited August 17, 2010 by speagle

[speagle]

Our old badge indicating "Air Police"

[speagle]

Current badge indicating "Security Police"

The force is now called "Security Forces" but the badge has not yet been changed.

[speagle]

Last one

This is what the USAF Security Forces now wear on their fatigues (BDUs, etc)

[Mervyn Mitton]

The pictures - the history - and the people involved - are the things that make this sub-forum.