Military jeeps (Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4) were used for an endless variety of tactical and support missions since their introduction to the U.S. military at the beginning of World War II. The world-wide success of the jeep made it a favorite for generations of soldiers and civilians too.
2d Infantry Division, U.S. First Army jeep hugs the sidewalk during combat in the streets of Leipzig, Germany, 18 April 1945.
9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul]. 9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France. 9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured. Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.
Military / Army Jeeps
In this chart of military jeeps, click on the photo link to go to the page of photos and information for the specific jeep. This chart includes most of the jeep models utilized by the U.S. military was well as prototypes and a few from other countries. More information about early Army jeep prototypes and military production models in the About Military Jeeps section of Olive-Drab.com. Other military jeep photos are available in the Gallery.
Pre-History and Prototypes
Vehicle
Description
Photo Link
Marmon-Harrington all-wheel-drive converted Ford Truck.
Bantam #1 BRC-60
Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4.Bantam #1 & the BRC-60: The First Jeeps
Bantam BRC-40
Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4 Bantam BRC-40. Early jeep design, from 1941.
Checker Bantam BRC-40
Bantam BRC-40 built by Checker
Ford Pygmy
Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4 Ford Pygmy. Prototype jeep design, from 1940.
Ford GP
Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4. Early jeep design, from 1941.
Willys Quad
Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4. Prototype jeep design, from 1940.
Willys MA
Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4. Early jeep design, from 1941.
World War II Standard Production
Vehicle
Description
Photo Link
Willys MB
Ford GPW
Truck, 1/4 ton, 4x4 jeep (G-503). The standard World War II jeep.