United States Constabulary

Unveiling of the United States Constabulary Memorial Stone
November, 12, 2008.
Patch Barracks
Stuttgart, Germany

Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany was known as Kurmacher Kaserne
during the period the U.S. Constabulary existed and it housed the Headquarters for the U.S. Constabulary from 1948-1950.

Click here to read a copy of the Stars and Stripes Newspaper article.
Click here for the background of the Stuttgart Memorial Monument.

     Jim Deming, the National Commander of the United States Constabulary Association was an honored guest speaker for the unveiling of the Monument Memorial Stone presented by the  people of Stuttgart, Germany to the troopers of the United States Constabulary 1946 -1952.  These soldiers were known by several names, the Circle C Cowboys, THE "BLITZ-POLIZEI" or "LIGHTNING POLICE", and the U. S.  Constabulary.

     They will never be forgotten by those of Germany who struggled following W.W.II.  The German people reached out to thank the U.S. Constabulary Troopers for what they did for them and their country during that time.

The words read:

A TRIBUTE TO
THE UNITED STATES CONSTABULARY
ORIGINAL COLD WAR WARRIORS
ARMY OF OCCUPATION
GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
1946 - 1952


IF YOU WERE NOT HERE THEN
WE WOULD NOT BE HERE NOW

GERMAN WOMAN TO
CONSTABULARY TROOPER
1996

Speech given by Jim Deming at the Dedication of the Memorial Stone:

My name is James Deming, and I am the current Commander of the United States Constabulary Association. It is a great honor to be here today and to deliver brief comments as part of this dedication. FOR MANY YEARS MILITARY AND CIVILIANS PERSONNEL ALIKE HAVE ASKED. “WHAT IS THE UNITED STATES CONSTABULARY”????? When the fighting in Europe ended in 1945, it was evident that the United States could not simply withdraw from Germany. The country was in ruins, and a period of occupation to restore order and help with rebuilding was urgently needed. There was no functioning border and there were no local, State or National police forces in place. There were no governing bodies of any kind. Germany was flooded with thousands of refugees and displaced persons desperately looking for food and shelter. The crime rate was soaring. Prior to this the United States had never occupied another country, and had no historical data to rely upon. The combat configuration of the military was not suited to accomplish this new mission so a new force was created. It was smaller, lighter and could cover large areas in a short period of time. That new force became known as the United States Constabulary. In January 1946, Lt. Gen. Lucian K. Trescot Commander of the US Third Army ordered ! Major Gen. Ernest N. Harmon, (a distinguished war time Commander of the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions), to command this new force. MG Harmon was able to assemble an elite new force and by 1 July,1946, the US Constabulary became operational. The Mission of the US Constabulary was. To- maintain Military and Civil Security, To- assist in the accomplishment of the objectives of the United States Government in Germany, and To- control the Borders of the United States Zone We accomplished our mission on horseback, motorcycle, a variety of vehicles, single engine, aircraft, and on foot. Though this Elite new force never reached its total authorized strength, we were able to perform our assigned Tasks . History tells us that we did a damned fine job. Morale was always high. As the years passed we transferred some assignments to the German government and to the German Police. Our mission continued, however, until the unit was disbanded on 15 December 1952. Constabulary members understood that restoring order to post-war Germany during the period 1946 to 1952 was critical to German and Austrian citizens, World History remembers the men and women of the Constabulary as a unique unit, created, trained and activated to meet that task. Constabulary Troopers were the Original Cold War Warriors. With meticulous attention to every detail, starting with distinctive uniforms and vehicular markings, We achieved the lofty goals that were set by Major General Harmon. Constabulary Troopers were described by Robert Strand, in the European Edition of the New York Herald, as; “one of the most colorful commands in the history of the United States Army”. Because of the Constabulary, the German people no longer feared the American Soldier. They quickly learned that the Constabulary Trooper was there to help them, and we were welcomed wherever we were assigned. Troopers restored order and helped local police re-establish their own operations, working together as a team. We conducted raids on black market operations together and patrolled the border to prevent displaced persons from crossing from other sectors. When relations with the Soviet Union became strained, a precise border was established, and border patrol became a priority. The task consisted of fixed posts, foot patrols, motor patrols, and in the more rugged terrain, on horseback. It is interesting to note: The Constabulary was the last U.S. Army unit to use horses in their operations. When the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin, a little over sixty (60) years ago, the United States used the ingenuity of the Berlin Airlift to break the seal and end the blockade. Constabulary Troopers on the ground in Germany assisted the United States Air Force in this important and successful mission. The Constabulary was deactivated in December 15th 1952. It had accomplished its mission. The law enforcement duties were turned over to the German Police and many Constabulary Troopers were reassigned to combat oriented units to maintain the border. Robert Strand closed his report with the line, “The Constabulary, which never saw its homeland, has now completed its mission, but it will always have claim to be ranked among the elite organizations in American Military History.” Although the Constabulary was a special unit that served within the United States Army, it was created in Germany, served in Germany and Austria, and was deactivated in Germany. It is therefore appropriate today that we consider Germany as the homeland of the Constabulary, and a proper place to dedicate and preserve forever the memory of the Unit by this presentation of this magnificent monument.

National Commander Jim Deming
2008

            I forwarded some of the stories I had put together for our request for a commemorative stamp, ‘The Unheralded – Men and women of the Berlin Blockade’ (book by Edwin Gere Pilot on the Airlift), that featured some Constabulary;  a copy of the Fort Leavenworth booklet titled ‘Mobility, Vigilance, Justice: The US Army Constabulary in Germany, 1946 – 1952;’ An Army Magazine that featured a story on the Constabulary and some other miscellaneous articles I had gathered. I sent these all to the Colonel at his headquarters.

            I received an e-mail about week later that the package arrived and everyone was very excited as they had never heard of the Constabulary and this was a whole new discovery for them. 

            There was a follow up message that they were seeking memorabilia and setting up some displays. I put him in touch with the curator at Fort Riley who had a pot full of memorabilia from members that never got to be displayed.  The last I heard of that situation, nothing was forwarded in response to his request. Then I received a message that so far as HQ Europe knew there were no memorials about the Constabulary anywhere in Europe but many of the varied Combat units. So far as they knew there were no monuments of the Constabulary and the 100^th Division. At that time he offered to act as point man to help us set up a memorial if we wanted.

            (The German people have set up some mini museums at varied spots

           along what was the border. These speak of the local activities. The

           Allied Museum in Berlin honors the Americans, British and the French,

           but mainly concentrate on the Airlift and the Wall. On my visit there in

           2002 with the Berlin Veterans Association, there was virtually nothing on     

           the Constabulary.  Most Berlin Vets were from the 50’s and 60’s and they

           too did not know of the Constabulary. Several years ago I did send the

           museum a copy of the  Constabulary History book.) 

            I discussed the monument offer with Commander Plath and it was decided to work up a design to see if it would be feasible and also to get some cost figures with the thought we would present this at the National Reunion in Tennessee. We did work up a design and received a ‘rough’ estimate of the cost.

The cost was given in Euros that equated to approximately $12,140 but would be about $10,200 if we could avoid the tax..

            This was presented to the members of the Executive Committee who attended the reunion and also included representatives from other Outposts who did not have the Committee member in attendance.  Basically all agreed we should look into the possibility of setting up monument. Also we should use the

least amount of copy to keep costs low.

            The designs were placed on a board and presented to the members at the general meeting.  A show of hands showed there was some support, but others wanted more information and lower costs.

             There was an article in the September/October Reunion issue of the

Lightning Bolt asking members to give their opinion if we should pursue this

memorial. While the total response was small, as all votes and responses, 90% thought we should pursue erecting a memorial. This would be erected in Patch Barracks – Headquarters U.S. Army Europe – outside Stuttgart. 

            The monument (see words on design) would be in keeping with paragraph 1.2 of our bylaws that reads: “The purpose of the Association is to promote a spirit of camaraderie, fellowship and brotherhood among the members and their spouses and to keep alive the spirit and history of the United States Constabulary.” – If you have watched Judge Judy - she might say, “Perfect.”

            The design was simplified using the least amount of words. The design was sent to Colonel Jones for a ‘final’ estimate. A copy of that estimate is attached along with a translation of the German terms.  The design of the memorial is also attached.  While there are ‘suggested’ dimensions shown on the drawing, I left it to the stone cutter to determine the necessary size of the stone to ensure proper space for the copy illustrated.

            Again the costs are given in Euros. As of January 26 the value of the Euro is:  1 Euro  =  $1. 47.  So that there is no misunderstanding, the rate on the day the money is paid will be the rate used to determine the amount in dollars.

            The current estimate is less than the original estimate – in euros. However, the exchange rate does not permit a similar reduction when converted to dollars.

                                                                      Euros  €                           Dollars $$$

The Stone: 100 CM X 45 CM X 50 CM       1950.00                                2866.50  

 (2.5 CM = 1”)  40” X  18”  X  20”

Ornament (Carved insignia)                               520.00                                 764.40

Bronze Plate (W/ copy)                                   2000.00                               2940.00

Net Amount                                                     4,470.00                              6570.90   

+ 19% Tax  (Payment maybe avoided)                849.30                              1248.47 

GRAND TOTAL                                             5,319.30 €                       $  7819.37  

You are reminded that there is $10,000 +/- in the museum fund that was never really required as memorabilia donated becomes the property of the U.S. Army

and required no support from the association. That money is therefore available for this memorial for the Constabulary.