U.S. Army Military Police Corps Regiment Hall of Fame Ceremony - Brief Article

Military Police, March, 2002

The U. S. Army Military Police Corps Regiment Hall of Fame Ceremony was held during the 60th Anniversary week on 2 November 2001. Over 400 attended the ceremony in Lincoln Hall Auditorium at the Maneuver Support Center, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The Hall of Fame event is a time-honored tradition, distinguishing military police warriors, both military and civilian, for their contributions to the Corps and the nation.

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The Hall of Fame ceremony began with the Commandant's luncheon at the Pershing Club. The official ceremony, held in the Lincoln Hall Auditorium, followed. The Commandant's opening remarks welcomed the returning heroes, their families, and friends to the home of the Military Police Corps Regiment. The Military Police School directors then recognized this year's honorees.

The 399th Army Band's musical selections instilled the audience with the camaraderie and patriotism that are integral parts of the Military Police Corps. During the ceremony, each inductee was presented with the Hall of Fame coin and a certificate. The inductees then revisited their many different accomplishments while a member of the Corps. After the induction, a receiving line was held at the Military Police Corps Museum. The inductees then hung their photographs in the Hall of Fame corridor in the Military Police Regimental Room.

The following are this year's inductees:

Colonel (R) Walter N. Ferguson III
Service Career: 1968 - 1991

Colonel Ferguson commanded at every level from company to brigade and served in key staff positions in both the Departments of the Army and Defense. During his 26-year career, he served in Europe and was wounded in the Republic of Vietnam, for which he received the Purple Heart Medal. As commander of the U. S. Criminal Investigation Command, he combated fraud, waste, and abuse involving Army travel polices. Colonel Ferguson demonstrated an unwavering dedication to training. During the Cold War in Europe, he developed a vigorous, exacting, and imaginative program that resulted in a mobile, combat-ready, and deployable force. Further, while the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Manpower and Personnel, he provided steadfast and inspirational leadership during some of its most dynamic, complex, and challenging times. His proactive diplomacy and knowledge of intergovernmental relationships were instrumental to the development and establishment of key compensation, training, education, and personnel management programs. Colonel Ferguson possessed an extraordinary insight and the ability to guide senior leaders. He always emphasized the importance of maintaining the Military Police Corps as a combat multiplier and the "force of choice."

Colonel (R) John F. Hyde
Service Career: 1942 - 1973

Colonel Hyde is one of the few distinguished leaders to permanently impact the Military Police Corps through his tenacious ability to lead troops effectively in peace and war. During World War II at the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, Lieutenant General George Patton recognized then Second Lieutenant Hyde's potential for excellence and issued him an immediate battlefield promotion to first lieutenant. In 1945, First Lieutenant Hyde led the military police forward element at the Ludendorf Railroad Bridge, Remagen, Germany. His detachment, while encountering intense fire and severe casualties, assisted in securing the bridge area. He established rigid, 24-hour traffic control and holding patterns, thereby ensuring unimpeded bridge traffic flow. For his bravery and gallantry under intense fire, First Lieutenant Hyde was awarded the Silver Star. After the war, Colonel Hyde served in many leadership positions including seven provost marshal positions. Colonel Hyde initiated, advocated, and established the detector-dog program and a dynamic cargo security and pilferage protection program for the Military Traffic Management and Terminal Service. During his 31 years of service, Colonel Hyde significantly impacted the character; doctrine; and long-term, combat-support focus of the Military Police Corps.

Colonel (R) Angus Boyd MacLean
Service Career: 1943 - 1971

Colonel MacLean was truly one of the great early leaders of the Military Police Corps. There was a common thread of selfless service in everything he did throughout his 28-year career. From leading soldiers in heavy combat as an NCO in World War II, to leading them as a senior officer in Vietnam, Colonel MacLean always did so through personal example. To lead his units to success, he consistently disregarded his personal safety at the risk of life and limb. Legends are made from his type of personal courage. Colonel MacLean was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against German troops in Italy during World War II and the Soldier's Medal in 1971 for disregarding personal safety by disarming a man who was attempting to set off explosives in the U. S. Capitol. In every assignment on active duty and every job beyond that, Colonel MacLean made immediate and lasting contributions to the Army, the community, and the United States. Colonel MacLean was, and always will be, a bona fide hero to the Army and the nation.