M62 5 ton Wrecker

The M62 5 ton Wrecker 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 M62 5 ton wrecker was the post-war replacement for the World War II Diamond T 969 and the Ward La France M1 series wreckers. A series of XM62 prototype models were produced in 1951, after which production continued through 1957 as the M62. For more information on the prototypes and model history, see the article "M62 5-ton Wrecker" by David Doyle in Military Vehicles Magazine, December 2002, Pages 128-131.

The M543 Wrecker and the M62 Wrecker are identical trucks that differ only in design variations in their wrecker crane equipment.

The nomenclature is "Truck, Wrecker, 5-ton, 6x6, M62" with NSN 2320-00-835-8325. The manuals are the TM 9-2320-211-xx series. The M62 Wrecker was replaced by the M816 wrecker.

M62 5 ton Wrecker
M62 5 ton Wrecker.

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M62 5 ton Wrecker

USMC version of the M62 based on the prototype XM62E4 5-ton Wrecker. This relatively rare variation of the M62 had a recovery bed very similar to the WW II Diamond T 969. It was not adopted by the Army but was used by the Marine Corps. In the photo, the wrecker is towing what's left of a Marine Corps 5-ton vehicle along the rim of The Bowl, a staging area for the 515th Trans Co. which had their base camp at Dong Ha, Vietnam. Twelve of fourteen Marines lost their lives when this truck was destroyed by an enemy rocket. (James Reaves)
USMC version of the M62 based on the prototype XM62E4 5-ton Wrecker. This relatively rare variation of the M62 had a recovery bed very similar to the WW II Diamond T 969. It was not adopted by the Army but was used by the Marine Corps. In the photo, the wrecker is towing what's left of a Marine Corps 5-ton vehicle along the rim of "The Bowl," a staging area for the 515th Trans Co. which had their base camp at Dong Ha, Vietnam. Twelve of fourteen Marines lost their lives when this truck was destroyed by an enemy rocket. (James Reaves) 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) .

M62 wrecker
U.S. Army M62 5-ton wrecker. Photo courtesy of Eastern Surplus & Equipment Company.

M62 belonging to the Illinois Army National Guard, towing M151A2 jeep. Photo from Co. B (Maintenance), 634th Forward Support Bn., Champaign, IL
M62 belonging to the Illinois Army National Guard, towing M151A2 jeep. Photo from Co. B (Maintenance), 634th Forward Support Bn., Champaign, IL. Thanks to Ilya Abramov for correct ID.