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What is the best rout to find out which branch of the service my M38 was delievered to. The hood was striped befor I purchased her. I have all other data plates, 3/52....MC60976


Scott

The military did not keep records after the vehicle was sold to civilian...

Unless you can find a serial number close to yours, pick a service...

You can also go by the contract number on the data plate on the dash, Wes would be your expert there...

Hope this helps...

During M38 and early M38A1/M170 production the Army was the "appointed by DOD" primary procurement agent for all tactical vehicles for the services.
So a jeep procured and operated by the US Army would have the lower left dash data plate marked "Procurement" Ordnance and "Depot Maintenance" Ordnance.

A jeep procured for use by the USAF would have "Procurement" Ordnance , "Depot Maintenance" Ordnance with an extra dash plate showing "USAF Property".

A jeep procured for the Navy would have "Procurement" Ordnance Dept & "Depot Maintenance" Ornance Dept. and/or an extra dash mounted NAVY BUREAU plate.

A jeep procured for the USMC would have "Procurement" Ordnance Dept & "Depot Maintenance" USMC.

So if you suspect your compliment of data plates is complete the above list should sort out original assignment of the jeep for you.

One should keep in mind that transfer of the jeeps between services later in the jeeps life occasionally happened and the data plates would be altered or the new possessor's plates would be added. In the case of the M38A1 several thousand were transferred to the USMC during the Vietnam era from the Army. The Marines generally sent these transferred units thru one of their depots where they were updated, refurbished and equipped to match the 1960's contracts they had with Kaiser which put posi rears, Packard connectors, M151 style dash lites and air cleaners on these older issue Army m38A1's.

Wes,

Any idea where I could get the USAF property plate? I dont have that but my glove box has holes drilled in it like it had a plate bolted to it.

Bill,

Talk to George at Army Jeep Parts. He has reproduced a lot of data plates for military vehicles.

If he does not have them, he can probably tell you where to look.

Wes,
Did all the plates have "Ordinance Dept." or just the Navy have "Ordinance" and "Dept." and the rest just "Ordinance"?
Jack

Not completely sure what you are asking. All the Willys military jeeps procured by the Army Ordnance Command (Ordinance refers to ammunition) had Ordnance in the procured by block. Vehicles procured by the USN had their own Bureau plates and serial plates.


Army M38


USMC M38A1


Army M38A1 (Note: For you early A1 owners look closely at the listed manuals)


USN CJ3B

The next three images are from a USAF M38 with arctic top and heater. Tags had been relocated to the defroster duct IAW the TB.