This M38 was assigned to an atomic support military unit in Korea in 1951. The unit was responsible for one of the largest howitzers ever built, and the only one ever built to fire an atomic shell. This famous gun was called “Atomic Annie”. Our little Jeep was assigned to a soldier there named Don Boyd who was in charge of this howitzer support unit. The gun was only fired once. It was nuclear and it proved that this was certainly not the best way to use an atomic weapon, radiation was too high at only seven miles from the point of impact (it’s firing range). It was never fired again.
The unit and the equipment used there found its way to France by 1956. Our little M38 had its engine rebuilt there and it finished out its service there as well. It was scrapped and sent to San Diego where it was hunted down and purchased by none other than the soldier who drove her, Don Boyd. Don began the restoration and worked on it over 25 years until his death a couple years ago. Don was my next door neighbor. When his health began to fail he asked me to help on the restoration. After his death I purchased the M38 and with your help have restored it to its original look (including the yellow headlights fitted in France in 1956). It resides today in Gun Barrel City, TX… a fitting irony for the little Jeep.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Larry Johannes
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Great story. Terrific Jeep. It resides in ‘Gun Barrel City’ Texas. Too much! Do you live on Audie Murphy Way!
-SG
Great story. Terrific Jeep. It resides in ‘Gun Barrel City’ Texas. Too much! Do you live on Audie Murphy Way!
-SG
Gorgeous M-38. Job well done!
Gorgeous M-38. Job well done!
I have to say lots of love went into this M-38. Well done and the story with it was great. Love the history.
I have to say lots of love went into this M-38. Well done and the story with it was great. Love the history.
Vers nice. Looks like brand new. History well maintened
Vers nice. Looks like brand new. History well maintened
Nice job. Doing a M38 resto right now myself. Where’d you find the pencil point NDCC’s?
Nice job. Doing a M38 resto right now myself. Where’d you find the pencil point NDCC’s?
I have a M38 1951. I do have a question. If I install my spare 5 gallon gas tank on the tail gate I’m unable to
put it down. Can you put yours down? Same with the spare.
I have a M38 1951. I do have a question. If I install my spare 5 gallon gas tank on the tail gate I’m unable to
put it down. Can you put yours down? Same with the spare.
i think it is perfect !!!
i think it is perfect !!!
Dad is so proud that you’ve taken such great care of his “baby”. He spent many hours restoring it and was delighted to win so many awards at the car shows. Thank you for sharing the story. Dad’s jeep couldn’t have gone to a better person. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Dad is so proud that you’ve taken such great care of his “baby”. He spent many hours restoring it and was delighted to win so many awards at the car shows. Thank you for sharing the story. Dad’s jeep couldn’t have gone to a better person. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
A fantastic Jeep with a great historical story.
Every Jeep has history, part of the restoration is to find that history. You and your old neighbour have done a great job.
Why did Don Boyd track down his old Korean war Jeep ? … well, like all of us, we fall in love with our Jeeps.
Congratulations on such a great looking M38.
Peter – Australia
A fantastic Jeep with a great historical story.
Every Jeep has history, part of the restoration is to find that history. You and your old neighbour have done a great job.
Why did Don Boyd track down his old Korean war Jeep ? … well, like all of us, we fall in love with our Jeeps.
Congratulations on such a great looking M38.
Peter – Australia
Beautiful restoration and a great story of it’s history. All jeeps have history and that is part of what makes them so special. Finding that history and being able to tell it’s tale is almost as rewarding as restoring the vehicle itself.
Beautiful restoration and a great story of it’s history. All jeeps have history and that is part of what makes them so special. Finding that history and being able to tell it’s tale is almost as rewarding as restoring the vehicle itself.
What-a-beautiful-job-have-seen-none-better.
Bob
What-a-beautiful-job-have-seen-none-better.
Bob
I met Don and his wife and friends @ a car show in Mabank,Tx. I thought the name sounded familiar. I live in Malakoff,Tx, I inherited my uncle’s old army jeep he was restoring. I could use some wisdom on rebuilding the differentials. By the way I could not take my my eyes off of his jeep and display. Great job and even better story. THANKS to Don’s family for his service to our country. My uncle was a Navy Veteran his self. God Bless y’all.
I met Don and his wife and friends @ a car show in Mabank,Tx. I thought the name sounded familiar. I live in Malakoff,Tx, I inherited my uncle’s old army jeep he was restoring. I could use some wisdom on rebuilding the differentials. By the way I could not take my my eyes off of his jeep and display. Great job and even better story. THANKS to Don’s family for his service to our country. My uncle was a Navy Veteran his self. God Bless y’all.
As others have said – perfect restoration sir !!! Great job. Love the history. It is rare to know the total history of the jeep you own. I know very little about mine at all.
As to Dexter’s question, I also have a 51 M38.
With gas can and spare tire mounted, the tail gate will not go down without hitting the bumperettes. This body was designed after a CJ-3A which had the spare tire on the passenger side and no gas can. Military moved it to the rear to make a narrower profile. I think the military just put a bolt through the tailgate eyelets to keep it in place.
As others have said – perfect restoration sir !!! Great job. Love the history. It is rare to know the total history of the jeep you own. I know very little about mine at all.
As to Dexter’s question, I also have a 51 M38.
With gas can and spare tire mounted, the tail gate will not go down without hitting the bumperettes. This body was designed after a CJ-3A which had the spare tire on the passenger side and no gas can. Military moved it to the rear to make a narrower profile. I think the military just put a bolt through the tailgate eyelets to keep it in place.