M-38A1 Military Jeep

The M-38A1 was an entirely new post-WW II jeep, even though it was numbered as a variant of the M38 jeep.

U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) and Major General Ben Sternberg, Commander, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), standing in M-38A1 jeep during a rainstorm at a ceremony at Fort Campbell, KY, 23 July 1966.

Today in WW II: 17 Sep 1939 Soviet troops invade Poland from the east. More ↓

17 Sep 1944 Thousands of Allied planes begin airborne assault on Holland, Operation Market Garden.
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Description of the M38A1 Jeep (G-758)

M38A1 jeep used by the 88th Trans Co. in Vietnam. (Mike Suckow) Photo courtesy of Planet Art Publishing, from the book Hard Ride- Vietnam Gun Trucks (Volume 2) . See also Hard Ride- Vietnam Gun Trucks (Volume 1) .

The M38A1 was the military improvement upon the M38 Jeep, introduced in 1952. It was a new design, known internally at Willys as the MD, not just a modification of the M38. It featured rounded front fenders, a contoured hood, two-piece windshield, top-mounted windshield wipers, and a new "Hurricane" F-Head engine.

The M-38A1 closely resembled the CJ-5 civilian model jeep. It differed from the CJ-5 in that it had a stronger frame and suspension, reversed front spring shackles, standardized M-series instruments and electrical accessories, with a 24-volt electrical system.

The M38A1 was manufactured by Willys, and had an F-head, 4-cycle, 4-cylinder engine. It had a crew of one and could carry three passengers.

The model M38A1C was modified as a platform for the 106mm recoilless rifle.

Photos and more information are available on the M-38A1 Jeep page of the Olive-Drab Military Vehicle Identification Charts.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the M38A1 military jeep at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup:

Willys M38A1 Military Police jeep, Walter P. Chrysler Museum, Auburn Hills, MI.

USO Salute Our Troops Jeep Tour: Drew Stipe and Tim McGinn are spending 100 days during the summer of 2011 driving throughout the southeast US with their restored M38A1 military jeep, along a route of stops at Kangaroo Express convenience store chain locations and community events. The tour is in honor of the US military, to raise funds to benefit the USO, Wounded Warrior Project, and state-based military support organizations that benefit troops and their families.

A HAWK missile battery relocates on Hill 327, Da Nang, South Vietnam, 20 March 1965. This road was improved when the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, 3d Mar Div, arrived allowing missile positions to be upgraded. Wheeled and tracked HAWK launchers are visible, drawn by an M38A1 jeep on the left and a larger truck in the center.

WC-56 Dodge 3/4-ton 4x4 Command Car, M37B1 Dodge 3/4-ton 4x4 Cargo Truck (USMC), M38A1 jeep w/trailer. The 2009 MVPA Transcontinental Convoy arrives at Cantigny, IL, 20 June 2009 to rest, refuel and share their experiences with the local community near Chicago. The Convoy is retracing the route of the first major motorized expedition across the United States, in 1919.

MAJGEN Almerin C. O'Hara, commander of the New York Army National Guard, enters his M151A1 1/4-ton 4x4 jeep. A second jeep behind is an M38A1 vehicle.

M48 Patton tanks line up for caliber .50 firing orientation for USMA Cadets at Lawley Range, Fort Knox, KY, 9 June 1959. M38A1 jeep by range control tower.

Internet Resources for the M38 or M38A1 Jeeps

The M38A1 jeeps that were built for the U.S. Army (and used by all the armed services) are very popular with collectors due to their reasonable size, ready availability of parts, and great off-road capabilities. There are many websites and forums devoted to the M38 and M38A1 jeep, some of the best collected on the linked page.

Find More Information on the Internet

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