Truck, Cargo, 5 Ton 6x6 M54

The Truck, Cargo, 5 Ton 6x6 M54 is part of the G-744 (or M-39) series of 5 ton 6x6 trucks. Details of the history, model numbers, and configurations of the M39-series of trucks are on the linked page.

The 5-ton rated M54 Cargo Truck was the Army and Marine Corps' workhorse truck in Vietnam. They not only carried troops and supplies, but were also converted to be "Gun Trucks" by adding armor and weapons such as Quad-50 machine guns. M54s were also used by the other U.S. Armed Services including the Navy and Air Force.

M54 5-ton cargo truck, at a US Government auction, April 2009
M54 5-ton cargo truck, at a US Government auction, April 2009.

Today in WW II: 3 Jul 1940 British shell French ships at Oran, Algeria. More ↓
3 Jul 1942 Germans prevail in the Siege of Sevastopol, after an eight month struggle, seizing the site of the Soviets' main naval base on the Black Sea.
3 Jul 1944 Minsk retaken by Soviet Red Army.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Truck, Cargo, 5--Ton 6x6 M54 Photos

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of M54 Vietnam Gun Trucks at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

Truck, Cargo, 5 Ton 6x6 M54 Photo Gallery

The BOUNTY HUNTER was an early M54, 5-ton Quad 50 gun truck from the 444th Transportation Company, Vietnam. The crew was credited with wiping out a large enemy force when they caught them crossing the road. (Bruce Barnes) Photo courtesy of Frank Suha, from the book The Hard Ride; Vietnam Gun Trucks.
The BOUNTY HUNTER was an early M54, 5-ton Quad 50 gun truck from the 444th Transportation Company. The crew was credited with wiping out a large enemy force when they caught them crossing the road. (Bruce Barnes) 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) .

USMC rough terrain forklift unloading cargo from an M54 drop-side cargo truck, Lebanon, April 1983.
USMC rough terrain forklift unloading cargo from an M54 drop-side cargo truck, Lebanon, April 1983. Note the tall intake on the air cleaner, typical of USMC M54 trucks.

M54A2 located at U.S. Navy facility, Port Hueneme, CA, November 2005. Left front 3/4 view.
M54A2 located at U.S. Navy facility, Port Hueneme, CA, November 2005. Left front 3/4 view. Photo: Government Liquidation.com

M54A2 located at U.S. Navy facility, Port Hueneme, CA, November 2005. Left rear 3/4 view.
M54A2 located at U.S. Navy facility, Port Hueneme, CA, November 2005. Left rear 3/4 view. Photo: Government Liquidation.com.

1969 Kaiser Jeep M54A2 with winch, located at Tinker AFB, OK, November 2005.
1969 Kaiser Jeep M54A2 with winch, located at Tinker AFB, OK, November 2005. Photo: Government Liquidation.com.

Thanks to MSG J. Durham and Ken Berry for help with this page.