[MV] Jeeps by any other name would still be a jeep

Joe Baker (edc@tiac.net)
Sun, 11 Jan 1998 13:03:33 -0500

When is a jeep not a jeep, is that the question?

In Vietnam we called all 1/4 vehicles (M-151's, M-38's, and the
mismatched variety of other 4x4 military vehicles found in country)
"jeeps" as well as "quarter tons". At least that is my experience in II
Corps in 1969 and 1970. Also I noticed very few M-715s, most of the
units I had exposoure to were equipped with M-37s and M-43s. I did
notice a few WWII vintage vehicles assigned to MACV and RVN units.

Later in Germany from 1977 to 1980 while assigned to the 2d Armored
Cavalry, we always refered to 1/4 ton vehicles as either a "quarter ton"
or more commonly as just "jeeps". By this time the M'715 and most of
the M-37's were replaced by the infamous Gama Goat, but there were still
M-43 ambulances in the inventory. I won't discuss the Gama Goat in
detail except to say that they could not accomplish the missions they
were assigned and were a maintenance headache.

Later in the National Guard from 1980 until just recently, we refered to
1/4 ton vehicles as either "quarter tons" or again just "jeeps".

As for administrative vehicles going into tactical areas, while assigned
with the 2nd Cavalry in Europe the Border Officer was assigned a
civilain CJ5 for use in the border sector. That mission was considered
a tacical mission by all concerned. Oh by the way it was also refered
to as a "quarter ton" or "jeep" depending upon who you talke to.

I can't remember anyone who ever refered to the M-151 as a "MUTT" which
is what historians tell us they were called.

My two cents from the front lines.

Joe Baker
Major, Infantry, USAR

Formerly of the
418th Med Co (AMB), RVN 1969-1970
1/2 ACR, Germany 1977-1980
Washington & Connecticut ARNG 1980-1992

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