Hood Lettering

[wesk]

99 % of the Marine Corp jeeps in Korea were WWII issue. That's why he recalls primarily 5 digit numbers. The first M38's in Korea were August 1952 for the Army. Now knowing the Marine Corp requisition system through Momma Navy my money says no Marine Corp M38's before the cease fire in Sept. 53.

[Boze]

I know that most equipment used in Korea was WWII leftovers. When I started restoring my M38 I could not ascertain the correct numbers. All I knew was it was once Army OD and titled once upon a time in Georgia. So, I set about giving my Jeep a theme for historical representation. I decided on USMC just to be a little different from all the OD WWII and Army Vietnam stuff around my area. I also have many relatives who were/are Marines so I decided to do a tribute to the Corps. and the "Forgotten War" vets.

While restoring my Jeep, I asked my wife's uncle about the lettering. He was a corporal at the Chosin Reservoir and wounded in combat by the Chi-Coms. He told me quite certainly how the lettering should be placed, what size, etc. Even though he used MBs and GPWs, I assumed the M38s would be numbered the same way. I also know that the Marines get the short straw when it comes to equipment and gear. So there were very likely no M38s in USMC hands in Korea. That being said, I still numbered my M38 as if it were there. The period is correct and the tribute to the Corps. and Uncle Louie is genuine. I never tell anyone my Jeep was in action or even overseas. Anyway, he loves it and that counts a lot for me. I am still hesitant about the white star thing. Too many "experts" would argue with me about it.

Thanks again, Wes, for making this website available for us hobbyists.

[wesk]

It is always nice to see a restorer aim his resto at a period in history and put his all in it.

Any corrections I post to presented data are not meant to force anyone in a certain direction. I mean them to help clarify what is actually correct and let the folks select their own directions at least knowing the right way as they go.

The written word is often snatched out of context and a guy will run with it just to find out later that the resto he was trying to make perfect is now very much in error. I try to emphasize the correct and de-emphasize the incorrect by adding a post to clarify an issue.

In Boze's note above about lettering I will step out on the limb again and mention that the regulations changed between 1949 and 50. The point of the star that went aft was changed to forward and there were several other subtle changes. As for stars they were at the discretion of the theater commander. They were primarily to help with ID from the air to reduce friendly fire accidents common with air to ground gunnery. In the rest of our wars subsequent to WWII we invariably controlled the skies and the stars became fewer and fewer as ground to air communications improved.