A NEW JEEP A DAY

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
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Joe Gopan
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A NEW JEEP A DAY

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Jul 01, 2015 1:29 am

The Maine Army National Guard started reequipping with M-Series Jeeps late 52 early 53. A common sight was my neighbor M/SGT Frank Wyman, Army Advisor, stopping by his house with a new M-135 and an M-38 in the cargo body after picking up the vehicles at the National Guard State shops 70 miles from here, It was interesting listening to the M-135 with those big balloon tires shifting by itself as Sgt Wyman drove off. to the local armory. It was just 20 years earlier that that same armory had horses in the stalls where the Jeeps were being parked, my friend and mentor CWO Joseph DeRoche, the Shop Chief started out as a stable boy with the unit in 1935 and retired in 1976. CWO DeRoche would be 100 years old this coming July. Time goes by fast in remembering these local heroes.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Tue Nov 03, 2015 6:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


Joe Gopan
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Re: A NEW JEEP A DAY

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jul 02, 2015 4:33 am

What was nice about having the National Guard handy was the chance to study brand new M-38, M-38A1 Jeeps as well as, M-37, M-211 and M-54 5 tons in their fresh 2430 paint and fresh new canvas. I realized 50 years later that the pleasant color of the new M-38 and M-38A1 Jeeps and trailers was 2430 O.D..
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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gpw6335
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Re: A NEW JEEP A DAY

Post by gpw6335 » Fri Jul 03, 2015 4:05 am

The guard guys really took good care of there vehicles. My time with the Illinois National Guard our vehicles were kept in excellent condition. I can still see the m38a1's with 105's mounted and m151a1's on the floor of the armory along with 416's. There was no a speck of dirt or grease to be seen on them. When we did our 4 of July parade through town we wiped the vehicles down with a little diesel to make them shine. Good memories.
1943 GPW 103951
1951 M38 27714
1952 M38a1 28888
1969 M274A5
1972 M151A2
1943 MBT
1951 M100
1979 M416
1962 M37B1

Joe Gopan
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Re: A NEW JEEP A DAY

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat May 20, 2017 12:23 am

Some Guard units retained an M-38 or M-38A1 for ceremonial use.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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dpcd67
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Re: A NEW JEEP A DAY

Post by dpcd67 » Sat May 20, 2017 8:13 am

Yes, National Guard units take good care of their vehicles; when I was in the 24th ID at Ft Stewart, I was detailed to evaluate NG Tank units from Tennessee and Georgia during the summers. Their vehicles were in better shape than ours were. The Tennessee boys gave me a quart of moon shine when they left. I still have it.
Ben; I don't suppose you took any pictures of those new 1952 vehicles?
U. S. Army 28 years.
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Joe Gopan
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Re: A NEW JEEP A DAY

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat May 20, 2017 8:54 am

No. I did not have a camera during those years. I never thought that those years were a flash in time. The Guard took tech inspections seriously way back then.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

FrankenJeep
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Re: A NEW JEEP A DAY

Post by FrankenJeep » Mon May 22, 2017 7:38 am

Ben Dover wrote:Some Guard units retained an M-38 or M-38A1 for ceremonial use.
The Air Guard unit in Charlotte, NC had great affection for the M38A1. When the Logistics/Transportation Sgt was told to dispose of them, they dutifully carried out orders.................................well. almost! :? The long-service motor pool sgt did not like the M151, and he did not want to see the A1's leave. He kinda, sorta, well, maybe "accidentally" forgot about one M38A1 that stayed on the inventory by disguising it as something else, and by shuffling it around where the Base Commander wouldn't see it. And thus, this one, lone A1 remained out in the back of the facility, hidden away. From 1990 to around 2005, it remained out of sight, sometimes being brought out so long as the BC wasn't around! :lol: It remained, immaculate, beautiful USAF Jeep, babied by the sgt and others like him overcome by fondness for the Jeep, and being repaired with parts bought by the Sgt and Friends themselves OFF the record.

All things come to an end, and the Sgt and others retired, one by one. But the Jeep was still there, still on the inventory but hidden from accounting and view.
One day a new airman arrived in the motor pool. He had no briefing on the story. But he liked Jeeps, Not knowing better, he hops in the Jeep and goes out onto the flight line. Bird Col *********, Base Commander, sees a scene from the past and can't believe his eyes! :o :lol: Like....................WHAT THE HELL IS THAT DOING ON MY FLIGHT LINE??????? :twisted: :lol: :lol:

The Base Commander calls EVERYONE on the carpet demanding just HOW was an "old" Jeep, in USAF livery, 20 years past its supposed life, out on his flight line? And worse, HOW is he now to explain to USAF/HQ an M38A1 on his inventory? The guys responsible have all retired, and there's no one to scold! The young airman who drove the Jeep, exposing the situation, had no clue he was doing anything wrong. He had a real puzzle on his hands.

Solution? Donate it to a museum, where, so far as I know, it remains today--a beautiful, immaculately maintained, like-new Jeep in blue.

GO AIR FORCE! :wink:

FJ
FrankenJeep


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