POST OFFICE-USED M-38'S @ CHRISTMAS TIME

1950 - 1952, M38, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38.
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Joe Gopan
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POST OFFICE-USED M-38'S @ CHRISTMAS TIME

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Dec 27, 2017 8:01 pm

Back in the mid 50's thru early 60's the U.S. Postal Service used full time Maine Army National Guard employees who would take annual leave to earn extra cash as drivers of M-38 and M-37' during the busy Christmas season. They hauled sacks of mail collected from drop boxes around the Bangor Post Office area.
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dpcd67
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Re: POST OFFICE-USED M-38'S @ CHRISTMAS TIME

Post by dpcd67 » Thu Dec 28, 2017 11:04 am

That was patently illegal for the Postal Service to use Military vehicles to deliver mail. Unless mobilized by the Governor.
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Re: POST OFFICE-USED M-38'S @ CHRISTMAS TIME

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:43 pm

I used to envy the civilian National Guard employees who got to drive those nice clean Jeeps and Dodges from the National Guard Armory.
They wore civvies and were paid by the Postal Service. I have witnessed Military vehicles on bail to Gov't contractors starting in the 50's. Foster Wheeler had M-38's and M-38A1's with "GOVERNMENT OWNED VEHICLE OPERATED BY FOSTER WHEELER CORP" stenciled on the sides I used one of them as a QC Inspector on the BOMARC Missile Site. Saw the same type stenciling on REO 6X6 Electronic Vans operated by RCA on some back woods radar project here in Maine.
Last edited by Joe Gopan on Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:02 am, 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
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Re: POST OFFICE-USED M-38'S @ CHRISTMAS TIME

Post by ng19delta » Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:08 am

I had a friend who owned one of the Jeeps which had belonged to the military, and was used by the Post Office... It was an M-38, and he bought it in the 50s...

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Re: POST OFFICE-USED M-38'S @ CHRISTMAS TIME

Post by dpcd67 » Mon Jan 15, 2018 6:37 am

Yes and I guarantee that that M38 was transferred to the USPS by the Army; it was not an Army owned jeep driven by Soldiers to deliver mail. That breaks all kinds of laws regarding misappropriation of funds. I know they used to do all sorts of shady things back then.
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Re: POST OFFICE-USED M-38'S @ CHRISTMAS TIME

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Jan 15, 2018 7:18 am

Drawn from the OMS motor pool at the local National Guard Armory. One of the M-38's USA 20909715 had the Gas Heater. The Jeep was issued to the CO of the 136th Engineers during Summer Training.
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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