This 1946 CJ-2A came into our family in 1970. Two of our six children had finished high school leaving four more sons at home all entering driving age. At one time, it transported nearly the entire football team home from their practice sessions. The boys learned auto mechanics and responsible vehicle ownership as they progressed through three engines, several brake replacements, two clutches, two front axles and a fire-engine red paint job.
After the boys left home, the Jeep stood idle in a farm shed until 1997 when my WW II battalion had a reunion in Cincinnati and the Jeep came out of retirement to serve as a memory of our 1944-45 experience. Stripped to the chassis with the tub turned up on a couple of saw horses, the Jeep was rebuilt with all original parts – mostly from Kaiser Willys and given a coat of 1945 “shade 33” olive green paint, black-out light and repositioned spare tire to simulate our old MB Jeep, a picture of which served as the model. Unit markings on the bumper identify it as Jeep #3 belonging to the Hq. Battery of the 736th Field Artillery battalion. Third army insignia is on the right side of the wind screen, XX corps insignia is on the left. These and the hood star are magnetic cut-outs which I refer to as its “class A uniform”.
About twenty-five members of the battalion enthusiastically drove the Jeep but it remained for one North Carolinian who was a full time Jeep driver to drive it so smoothly that he might have just parked it overnight. By now, battalion numbers are down to about a dozen and only three made it to the last reunion in 2012. One more time, the Jeep has served us well.
Cordially,
John H. Smith M.D. Private U.S. Army (retired at age 20), 736th Field Artillery
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – written by John H. Smith
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Always great to hear about another M38A1 owner. Where did you get your Jeep painted? I live close to Frankfort and mine needs a paint job really bad.
Thank you John Smith for your service. I’m restoring a 1942 Gpw for the Findlay,Ohio show for the veterans in May. You did a nice job on the old girl. Hope you make it for many more years! My pop was in WWII,D-Day, Mom was at Wright AFB,WAAC,and My Father inlaw Army Air Corps, 445th 8th Army B-24 waist gunner ,Bombing of Dresden. We restore Military vehicles in Honor of soldiers like you All the way up to current men and women in Harms Way! God Bless You and ALL protecting our Freedom! Nice Job! —-Dave Hollingsworth, Ohio Motorpool, MVPA.
I just picked up a 46 CJ2 that has almost all military components .. it was probably a very early 46 and they used what they had on the shelf from WWII to build her. I too am a Army veteran with 33 years of service and have 2 M-151 A2’s (The 1st Jeep I drove in the Army as a private) that are waiting restoration. I look forward to working on my CJ and can’t wait to get her back into shape. Nice job on your project sir!
//R//
Mark Koloc
LTC (Ret(
As a platoon leader in the 82d Airborne division in 1970, I had my first Jeep, a M151. I also had one of those Dodge 3/4 ton trucks. About 10 years ago, I bought a M38A1, that I have kept in original condition. I finally found a restorer in Frankfort, KY, where “Eugene the Jeep” will get a military paint job and some body work this fall. I use my Jeep locally and for frequent fishing excursions. Former military people always want to share their Jeep stories, which I enjoy. I have a special KY Bronze Star license plate on my Jeep that reads “M38A1” I wouldn’t put that tag on a car, but it is appropriate on a military Jeep for exemplary service. The Jeep was to an infantryman what a horse was to a cavalryman. Good luck to you, sir, and your vehicle, and thank you for your military service.
E. Phillips
LTC, ret.