Sergeant First Class Frederick O. Jones

Sergeant First Class Fred Jones joined the 552 coming to us from his favorite assignment: Panama of which he spoke often. Fred was our Operations Sergeant responsible for handling the dispatch of personnel for their missions. He was a great organizer who kept the show going and did so with a cheerful approach.

On Fred's second tour he was assigned as an advisor to the Pleiku Prisoner of War compound. On one afternoon several prisoners loaned out to a local Vietnamese Engineer Unit escaped by clubbing their guards with shovels and stealing their M14. One prisoner in attempts to find cover from the Vietnamese MP's was able to hide under a ledge of a creek bed thus avoiding being hit. Thinking that all the prisoners had been killed or captured Fred went down to check it out. When the prisoner saw Fred he fired one round fatally wounding Fred.

Fred was truly one of the good guys that passed through our lives and for that we are forever grateful and better for it.  Thanks Fred. May you rest in peace friend.

First Sergeant Robert Sweeney

First Sergeant Sweeney came to the 552nd at Fort Benning several months before the unit deployed to Vietnam. From the very beginning "Top" who had served in Vietnam became our center of knowledge of what Vietnam was likely to be like for all of us.

With the company having an average age of 18 years and with 4 inexperience junior officers fresh out of Officer Basic "Top" became an invaluable key to our success. He retired from the Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and it is with great sadness that we morn his passing.

We are all grateful for his service to the 552 Military Police Company and to the U.S. Army.

Thanks "Top"  Your duty is done.

First Sergeant Joseph Aguirre

Joseph Aguirre became the First Sergeant for the 552nd when 1SG Sweeney left the unit. 1SG Aguirre had a remarkable military history which he revealed to Ron Reardon, who served as the Company Clerk.

1SG Aguirre joined the Army during World War II when he was 16 years old but upon discovery he was not of age was released from active duty. When he did become of age he enlisted again and was sent to Germany where he was involved in the Battle of the Bulge at Bastongne. 1SG Aguirre received the Combat Infantryman Badge both in World War II and in Korea. There are few soldiers that served in three different combat zones in their life time. lSG Aguirre was a credit to our unit, the United States Army and to the nation he served so well.

Captain Shockley "Hap" Gardner

Captain Gardner, better known as "Hap" came of age in Vietnam. His early times in the unit were by most measures less than productive. However, as often happens, when he realized as Commander of the 552d Military Police Company he would have the responsibility for the lives of 200 young highly quality and motivated young men he rose to the occasion to serve the Company with distinction. "Hap" stayed in country beyond his DEROS spending a total of 3 years in Vietnam.

Upon his return to civilian life he served as a Washington DC lobbist and at the time of his death was serving in Virginia state government. Thanks for your service to your country.

First Sergeant Bob Mayo

Bob Mayo served as First Sergeant of the "Deuce" in the 1968-69 time frame. He began his service at the young age of 16 and served in both Korean and Vietnam conflicts and retired as a Command Sergeant Major after 30 years of service to his country. After leaving the Army Bob moved to Tennessee where he began a a career in civilian law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff in Dickson County, Tennessee.

Shortly after starting his new career Bob was shot when he was attempting to arrest a robbery suspect who had escaped from the Dickson County jail him. Bob died of his injuries several months later. Bob mentored many junior NCO's and was considered to be one of the best. All that knew Bob send their best wishes to his family and friends. He indeed reflects the motto: "It's not how they died but how they lived that makes them heroes". Bob you will be missed by those that knew you.

Specialist Woodrow T. "Pop" Brady

"Pop" Brady was one of the most liked soldiers in the "deuce". He got his nickname at Fort Benning because he was 6-8 years older than most of his buddies. He was 26 years old at the time. While in he deuce he performed his military duties in a commendable manner.

Many tales are told of him especially when it came to snakes. He and others skinned a long snake they had caught which when shown to Sgt Ayers caused him great panic. Doug Dragert while visiting in Florida discovered that he had passed away. He was one who we'll remember as representative of all that was best about the personnel in this unit. Rest in peace friend.

Clement "Clem" Olfano

Clem, as he was known by his buddies, served in the "Deuce" and was awarded a Bronze Star with "V" Device for his bravery in connection with military operations against a hostile force during the 1968 TET offensive.

Clem grew up in Greenpoint, New York and graduated from Brooklyn High's School of Automotive Trades in 1964. In 1968 he was drafted and served with pride as a Military Policeman.

After his service in the military he returned to the states where he married Leona. They had three boys, Mark, Michael, and Eric. In 1970 he became a member of the NYC Police Department retiring in 1997 after 26 year career.

On December 12, 2003 Clem suddenly passed away. His son Mark provided us his dad's history which was displayed at the 2006 Reunion. He concluded his dad's history like this "We know he would have loved to be with all of you who served with him. We are, however, lucky to know we have a Guardian Angel looking down on us all".

Clem, may you rest in peace and may your family know that those that served with you are better for having known you.

God Bless and Thanks for Your Service to Your Country and Your Community. You did yourself proud.

Bill, who served in the "deuce" throughout 1968 having come to the unit from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died at the age of 60 in Hamilton, New Jersey. Bill, born in Trenton, was a longtime resident of Bordentown, New Jersey where he attended St. Mary's Elementary School and was a 1966 graduate of Bordentown High School.

He began his Military Police service at Fort Gorden, Georgia where he underwent Advance Individual Training. After serving at Fort Sill he arrived at the 552nd just in time for the 1968 Tet Offensive. For his actions during Tet in defense of the II Field Force compound from the attack by a sizeable Viet Cong force he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his achievements.

After his military service he, like so many of our military brothers, returned to civilian life and served his community, Bill was an exempt lifetime member of the Consolidated Fire Association of Bordentown, past Assistant Chief of Bordentown Fire Company, and a past member Mission Fire Company in Bordentown Township. Bill had a son and daughter and two twin grandchildren.

Bill's daughter said that he spoke often of his military police service in Vietnam. Bill may you rest in peace knowing that your time on this earth made a positive difference in lives of those around you.

Robert "Bob' Maslowski

Bob passed away on November 13, 1988 at his home in Parma, NY after a 18 year career on the Greece, NY police department where he served as a motorcycle patrol officer and a member of the SWAT Team. Bob served in the "Deuce" where he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for valor.

Bob and his wife Valerie are survived by their son Robert, Jr. and two daughters, Kimberly and Amy. He was a great friend to many in the "Deuce" and in his community. He will be remembered by his MP colleagues as a fun person and great friend. Rest in peace you served your country and community and made them both better.

Will was born in Huntsville, Arkansas. After serving from 1967 to 1969 with the "deuce" in Vietnam he returned to the states and moved to Alaska where he worked for Wonder Bread Company and did some underwater gold mining. He later returned to Arkansas and in his later years was a supervisor for Excel Pork, a Division of Cargil, Inc.

He spent the last year of his life with his son trying to enjoy life. He passed away on January 7th, 1999. His family said he spoke often of his service in Vietnam and Germany. We honor his service to country and family and as a member of the "deuce" may our brother rest in peace.

Bob Dolan

Bob Dolan, one of the "Boat People' of the 552nd recently died of a heart attack.Bob served his unit, comrades, and his nation with honor and was a good friend to those he served with. 

Bob was attended all of the reunions and was a great addition to the event.  He had a dry sense of humor that all enjoyed.  He will be missed.

PFC Casey P. Mason

PFC Mason while serving in Mosul, Iraq was killed in November 2007 by a sniper while providing security at an Iraqi Police Station. He and the unit had been in country since September and was the first fatality suffered by the unit. For his actions he was posthumoudly awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. During his service he was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge.

PFC Mason was born in Midland, Michigan and began his service to the nation at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he completed one station training.  His only assignment was with the 552nd where he was serving in the first platoon.

Casey's Platoon Leader, 1LT Laura Proffit, described Casey as a model soldier and big loss to his platoon. Casey was returned to his home in Michigan to his family and loved ones. Memorial services were also conducted in Hawaii.