This 1955 M38A1 started out as a project of my Dad’s. He worked on it for years, and on and off I would give him a hand when I could. As time went by, his failing health kept him from working on it as much as he wanted to, so my uncle stepped in and took the Jeep back to his house. He and a few of his friends put it all back together in running condition. He then returned it back to my Dad, who was very happy to see it back up and running. My Dad asked me to go with him to his very first car show – He tried to drive it there himself, but poor health prevented him from being able to handle the Jeep, so I took over and drove him to the show. He really enjoyed the show and told me how he’d like to go to more with me, but that the Jeep was mine to finish. Within a few months after saying this, my Dad passed away, so I took complete ownership of the Jeep and worked very hard to get it restored to the shape it is in now!!
The Jeep was built in my Dad’s memory, as marked by the windshield sticker “In Memory Of Dad”. I finished the Jeep off with a new set of tires just a few days before I returned to the same show that was the only one he ever made it to. It’s been a great honor to proudly show off the Jeep in his memory. The hood numbers are his Military ID numbers. He was first in the 507th Eng. and when he retired some 30 yrs later, he was the Sarg of the Mess. All the markings are for him, as are all the “props” I display in the Jeep at shows: his helmet, belt, sleeping bag, mess kit among other things.
I am very proud to say that this Jeep will stay with me for as long as I can drive it, then it will be handed down to my son. Everywhere I go in it now, I know my co-pilot is with me – My Dad!
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Bruce Golden
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Nice looking M38A1 Great Job.
I’m sure your Dad was pleased with the work everyone did to get it back in great shape. Thanks for his military service for our Country…
Hi Bruce! I want to congratulate you for a great job with your dad’s m38a1. I admire you for being a good son to your father. You take good care of your dad’s jeep . I am from the Philippines. I also own 3 units of M38a1. This is my email ad : romeodilig@yahoo.com.
“GREAT JOB ” on the M38A1 Jeep! I bet your Dad is watching your drive it every time you take it out! He must be really proud of YOU!
I have an M38A1 Army Jeep that I drive in the Larimer Country Parade here in Loveland, Colorado. Won an award of $50.00 the fires year. I have a Vietnam Vet friend , Jake , that wants to ride in it with me in the next parade.! I attached “Olde Glory ” flag to the back when I drive it on the stretrs! Gets a lot of attention. I also park it at the entrace of a Vets group that meets at Widow McCoy’s resturant around Veterans Day!
I also had a collection of my guns that are all 24 karat GOLD and gold engraved! , Commerative World War II and Armed Forces which includes semi-automatic : M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, Thompson Cal. 45 MG, M16 Assault Rifle, plus my Army Issue M1 Garand and a M1903 Springfield (mint condition) bolt action, from WW I era.
The Vets are form WW II , Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan! These are my real HEROS!
I served twith the Army in Vietnam during June 19, 1968 thru June 1969! Tour 365! Assigned to Us Army 1s Logistial Aommand, ACofS, Ammuniktion, Longt Binh Vietnam. Traved from Dong Tam and Vung Tau in the Delat to Tay Ninh near Cambodiam Camrahn Bay, Qui Nhon, and up north to Da Nang, Quang Tri, Hue Phu Bai, and Dong Ha near the DMZ ! Got shot at in a Hewy and night mortar and rocket attacks some 50 to 100 times! The Colonel wanted me to extend 6 months while he would still be there, but I heard to many stories about men who extended and the next week they got killed! They could have been home!
SUPPORT THE US TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES. GOD BLESS!
I would love to restore my Dad’s vehicle…. But where would I get a B 28 flying fortress?
Su Señor Padre estará muy orgulloso y feliz al haber cumplido su sueño.
Nice job, touching tribute to your father.
Great story from a loving son. I know that your dad is smiling right now and mighty proud of his son!
Thanks to share your history whit your Dad whit us an congratulations.
Great story and a wonderful job on restoring the Jeep. Actually, you are also restoring the memories of your relationship. I am sure your dad is proud of you and the fact that you see this as important speaks to your character as a man. Way to go! I also have a CJ-2 Jeep that has been mostly restored, which I enjoy very much.
A wonderful tribute and a job well done. Great to honor Dad like was done. My son, Joe, did something similar for me on rebuilding a 1956 Chevy. He did it totally without my knowledge to celebrate my 65th birthday and I was supposed to retire. Well I retired at 72 and have had all this time to enjoy the Chevy!!
Bruce, Thank you for the uplifting story. You and your family and friends are blessed in what really counts.
Steve
Great job with the jeep. It’s really the “Story behind the jeeps” that make these so special. My father served in WWII and Korea and all 3 of my brothers as well as I have had the pleasure of serving. The one story all of my brothers remember was how my Dad was behind enemy lines in Korea as a driver for the company XO and had to “drive the wheels off the jeep” to get back to the American side. My father celebrate his 90th birthday in September a d we ALL hope that he shares this account one more time with us. Loved your story and proud your father served our country, who knows maybe he was one of the mess sergeants who my dad served with.
Hey, Bruce. Great job on the Jeep. I have a M38A1 that I bought about 10 years ago. It is due a paint job, and I found a shop in Frankfort, KY to do a frame off restoration this winter. I retired from the Army in 1989 and had a couple of M151’s during my service. If you have a Jeep in the military, like your dad, you get very attached to them, kind of like a cavalryman got attached to his horse. When I get too creaky to climb into my Jeep, I will probably donate it to one of the military museums. Several aircraft museums, like the Hollings Institute, display Jeeps with their vintage planes. Mine will have to stay configured as “Army” though. Your Jeep is a great tribute to your dad. If you haven’t done so, you should request your dad’s military records from the archives in St. Louis. I got my father’s records that went back to 1934.
Gene Phillips
Lexington, KY
Awesome! Well done.
Well done!
Love the story and the jeep, what a great thing to have shared with your dad!
Nice Job Bruce, Dad is proud looking down.