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That plate indicates the jeep was procured by the US Army Ordnance command for the USMC. From 1948 thru 55 the Army was the primary procurement agency for all tactical wheeled vehicles. That was the common plate for USMC M38A1's that were procured under the old Army procurement system. By 1956 the Navy and USMC were both issuing their own contracts. If the plate is original to that tub and the Tooele tag is also original to that tub then the jeep was procured by the Army and immediately turned over to the Marines. The services often set the end life on vehicles based on total age, total operating time/mileage or total monies spent on maintenance. When the jeep reached this threshold they were decalred surplus. Your being a 1952 unit this is a very strong possibility. It is possible the Marines declared the jeep surplus in 1958/59 and the Army reserves picked it up and had it refurbished at their depot. That would explain the 24087 paint and the 2B hood number. Jeeps procured by the Marines under their own contracting would have had USMC in both columns on that plate.

Wes, I thnk that we are almost there. I have 2 points of concern just out of curiosity and to touch all bases:
1. Would the U S Army Reserve have taken it to France between June 1959 (Tooele) and September 1961 (Nancy)? I thought that in peacetime they stayed in CONUS.
2. Isn't 7 years of age and less than 14,000 miles a bit early to retire a vehicle? Where I come from that's the point where they are just getting broken in.
Thank you.
David

Isn't 7 years of age and less than 14,000 miles a bit early to retire a vehicle? Where I come from that's the point where they are just getting broken in.

If it helps, my air force M38 (July 1951) had it's first civilian registration in March 1958; slightly less than 7 years military service. The original speedo was long gone when I bought the jeep, so no idea on the mileage.

As mentioned above the speedo means nothing in determining the mileage of any vehicle over 30 years old. That speedo could have been installed at any time in the last 61 years.

Read my post above closely. Vehicles reached end of cost effective life at a certain mileage, age or total cost of maintenance. Having spent 22 years in the USAF I can assure you many vehicles went to the DRMO long before they were to old to run anymore.

Active and reserve units were both deployed to Europe and other points outside the US and often took their vehicle compliment with them especially if they were opening a new post or unit allocation there. Once over there they often did not return with them since they would be left behind for the replacement unit.

Some very interesting information above, but back to the original question.
Does anyone have one of the data plates for sale or know of a good picture of an original unstamped plate? I have a request into Tooele, but waiting for an answer.