Captain American has long time been the embodiment of what an American soldier should aspire to be. His loyalty, rugged nature, and willingness to walk into harms way for a cause he believes in has landed him a spot on the list of classic super heroes among Superman, Batman, and the Incredible Hulk. What about his car? What about a car that has transcended the comic universe and rolled into ours? Meet the American automotive genius that is the Jeep.
The Jeep has served valiantly in every branch of the United States military and taken on many different forms including fire engines and cable layers. Some were even built with train wheels and ran on railroad tracks. The Jeep has held in its body the healers, the wounded, and the dead; held inside its frame soldiers who breathed their last breath on foreign soil. Its rugged build and off-road capabilities made it the optimal vehicle for World War II, where an average of 145 Jeeps were supplied to every infantry regiment.
World War II Jeeps had two manufacturers, one being Ford and the other being Willys-Overland. The Ford was the Model GPW and the Willys-Overland was the Model MB. While there were subtle differences in the vehicles both manufactures were sure to stamp their Jeeps will their name. Under orders from the Vice President of the United States, Ford and Willys-Overland produced 640,000 Jeeps. That accounts for 18% of wheeled military vehicles produced during war time.
The Jeep has proven itself an American warrior. It loyally carried its soldiers around the battlefield and saw WWII from the front lines. If ever there was a vehicle that embodied the spirit of freedom and a struggle for freedom, this is it. With veterans day right around the corner, I think it’s high time we recognize this unsung hero of WWII and all the men and women who sat behind its wheel. We have paid no higher price than the one we have paid for freedom, but I can’t think of a more worthy cause. Thank a vet today and more importantly everyday. Happy Veterans Day, all.
Sources:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1942-1944-jeep.htm
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13
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