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WWII Jeeps

696 views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  bob4703 
#1 ·
Just came back from New Orleans and while down there made it a priority to visit the WWII Museum.

I was born in 1950, my wife in 1951. This was our parents' war. My mom was a WAVE - stationed in San Francisco, wife's dad was an MP-stationed in occupied Japan. I had an uncle that fought in The Pacific with the US Army. My uncle saw lots of combat, and rarely (never) talked about it.

Wife and I probably spent five hours walking through the three buildings (soon to be four). The entire place is dedicated to WWII only, they have a couple of Jeeps on display. And one of the amphibious Jeeps (mini DUKW). The Boeing building has several aircraft hung from the ceiling, including a B17, B25, and P-51 (Tuskegee Airman paint).

I really enjoyed the Arsenal Of Democracy exhibits. Amazing how the USA converted from a peacetime economy/production to wartime in such a short time.

For the folks with deep pockets, they also have a PT (PT-305) that is available for rides out on Lake Pontchartrain.

With so much of our history trying to be erased, this is a definite must see if you're a history buff and ever in the area.
 
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#2 ·
I was there when it started as the D-day museum. I believe New Orleans was chosen because it was the original plant for the Higgins Boat - the D-day landing craft.

On of my favorite rooms was the tribute to the 88 and 101 Airborne. Cool, dark, damp with a Willys MB sticking out of a glider plane - paying tribute to the first to land the night before the beach landings. Very moving and authentic.

It sounds like the museum has really grown since my visit. My goal is to own a Willys MB. Unfortunately, original matching numbers are hard to find and very pricey. Still looking. If anyone has any leads, please let me know.
 
#3 ·
My goal is to own a Willys MB. Unfortunately, original matching numbers are hard to find and very pricey. Still looking. If anyone has any leads, please let me know.
One of the reasons we were able to prevail in WWII was parts interchangeability. Parts for MBs and GPWs could be swapped in the field. Henry Ford was so concerned about it, he even had the bolts used in GPWs stamped "Ford" for warranty reasons! The parts interchangeability even reached into weapons, where M1 Garands made by Winchester could swap parts with those made by Springfield. The same held true for M1 Carbines made by all of its manufacturers. When it came time to clean weapons, nobody was looking for serial numbers; all the parts went into solvent and came out of it with the simple intent of putting a gun back together. So, in essence, the true representative is a "MIXMASTER". A "parts and numbers correct" sample probably was never in the fight.

Something to think about. Respect the mutt! :wink2:
 
#5 ·
Probably the best museum out there, we are frequent visitors. We took my MIL, who was a veteran of the Pacific, first female Marine on Midway after liberation. Just so happens that they had a 'chute wedding dress on short term display, and the lady that wore it was there as well. They were one platoon apart from graduating bootcamp. When my wife and I got married she incorporated the top of her mother's 'chute dress into her own. Always very emotional when we go there, thinking of the sacrifice all gave during the war, both civilian and military.

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#7 ·
I love the WWII Museum, they've done a great job at packing so much in there and telling stories.

My Grandmother, who ordered supplies for a chemical company, has told us stories of having to get sheep, goats, elephants for some of the testing they were doing but one thing she emphasized was "we all were just trying to get stuff that worked in the hands of the troops to do an impossible job". My wife and my grandfathers all served, we only have one that is still with us. I've talked with cousins about getting Grandpa to the Museum, this post reminds me we should do it while we still can,
 
#8 ·
Hack if you ever get to Kansas City, Mo. there is a WWI museum there. Excellent place to visit. If I ever get to New Orleans the WWII museum will be top of the list. The people of this generation were referred to "the great generation". Knowing many that lived during that time I have to agree. Being involved in manufacturing all my adult life has brought me a great respect for what was done for the War. Like you I have many family members that served during WWII. My wife's dad enlisted even though he had a deferment. His comment was if he didn't go then who would! He came home too. My uncle was at Iwo Jima, Marines, rom the start. He came home too.

The world owes a debt to all the fine folks that came to the aid for freedom at what was one of the most dire times in modern history. The younger crowd has missed out on hearing of the first hand sacrifices that were made. How many today would stand in line for groceries because the war effort came first? Sugar was even rationed here. I remember my grandma's neighbor telling me she made do for pie sweetening with molasses. There was a shortage of tires. Farm equipment was made with steel wheels and some models even unavailable until after the war. Talk about a united effort on both the men in the battlefield and the folks back home! We truly have much to live up to if we ever hope to fill their shoes!!
 
#9 ·
The people of this generation were referred to "the great generation".
Guts and dedication.

What impresses me most (and makes me wince), is how the troops got into some of the equipment. B17's were flying death notices. Average life span for an aviator was seven missions. A great deal of the war they flew during the day, without fighter escort.

Having ventured into a WWII battleship (BB-60 - Alabama) crew of 2500, and a WWII submarine (SS-228 - Drum) crew of 72, on a trip many years ago to Mobile, Alabama, I couldn't believe how crowded the quarters were. Especially on the submarine. No place for claustrophobia.

We did the 'Final Mission' of the Tang - SS-306 when we were at the WWII museum. I won't tell how that ended....
 
#10 ·
^^^Agreed^^^ (about the size anyway...) While touring the USS Iowa, it was readily apparent to anyone visiting the "head" that people have grown... errr somewhat.

I'd hope that given the same challenges, we'd rise up to meet them too. (But, some days I do wonder...)
 
#11 ·
...people have grown... errr somewhat.
One only has to try and squeeze into a MB or GPW to realize that....

I'd hope that given the same challenges, we'd rise up to meet them too. (But, some days I do wonder...)
Yeah. Most people today have the attention span of a 5 year old.... Unless they are playing a video game or watching something on the 'tube'.
 
#12 ·
My father enlisted after Pearl Harbor, saw combat in the pacific on Tarawa, Okinawa, the Philippines, and remained in Naval Reserves until his passing. I have a strong appreciation for what former NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw referred to as the greatest generation.

My son and I were lucky enough to drive a WWII MB Jeep recently. I'm 6'2", he is 6'3". Very tight squeeze with clutch, brake and steering wheel. It made me think about the size of the WWII soldier compared to our size today. I found the following circa 1941 from the Quartermaster Corps:

Data compiled for millions of inductees shows the following to be the actual measurements of the "average" newcomer to the Army as he appears at the clothing counter of a reception center: 5' 8" tall; 144 pounds in weight; 33 ¼" chest measurement; 31" waist measurement. From the tariff tables showing the frequency of size issues it is found that the sizes most frequently issued are a 7 to 7½ hat, number 9 gloves, a 15 shirt with a 33" sleeve, a 36 regular jacket, a pair of trousers with a 32" waist and a 32" leg length, size 11 socks, and size 9-D shoes.
 
#13 ·
My Dad passed seven years ago. He so much wanted to take one of the Honor Flights to DC to visit the WWII Memorial. I offered to take him on our own, but he said he wanted to see it with his "friends." I had to think about that because on an Honor Flight you have no promise as to who will travel with you. I realized what he meant was folks from his generation. His name came to the top of the list only a few days before he left us.

Years before his passing I'd retrieved his size 36 uniform blouse (jacket) so for his last Christmas I restored it with chevrons and new medals, put it in a display case, and gave it back to him as a Christmas present. You'd have thought from his reaction I'd given him a new car.

He loved the old Jeeps because he'd driven them and worked on them. I've wished a thousand times I'd gotten the CJ while he was around. He would have enjoyed working on it.
 
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