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Ken Hechler: The Man in the Red Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Longtime public servant and former WWII veteran Ken Hechler served President Harry S. Truman, held the position as West Virginia’s Secretary of State, and represented West Virginia in Congress for several terms. Early in his Secretary of State run he began using a red CJ-5 as his office. Over the years he went through 6 jeeps.

Over the years Ken wrote multiple books. His earliest was Bridge at Remagen: A Story of World War II. He went on to write additional books, articles and other works. Eventually, Carter Taylor Seaton wrote a book about him called The Rebel in the Red Jeep: Ken Hechler’s Life in West Virginia Politics. Here are a few pics:

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1944 Photo of H. Larsen and A. Vandegrift w/ Jeep

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This event was captured in a series of 10 photos. Some others from his visit March 1944 visit to Camp LeJeune can be found here.

View all the information on eBay

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“1944 Press Photo Henry L Larsen talks to Alexander A Vandegrift in jeep, NC. This is an original press photo. Vandegrift, Alexander A. (Lieutenant General). Lieutenant General Alexander A. Vandegrift, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, recently made a four-day inspection tour of the Marine Corps training base at Camp Lejeune, New River, North Carolina.

It was his first visit since he became commandant and the first trip back there since he left it in the Spring of 1942 to lead the Marine assault forces that drove the Japanese out of the Solomon Islands.

Lieutenant General Alexander A. Vandegrift (front seat of Jeep), listens to Major General Henry L. Larsen (right), describe a re-enforced rifle company’s field problem on a musketry range Camp Lejeune, New River, North Carolina, during his inspection tour. General Larsen, Commanding General of Camp Lejeune, and Colonel William N. McKelvy (rear seat), of Washington, District of Columbia, Commanding Officer of the Instructors’ Group, Replacement Battalions, accompanied General Vandegrift during the field problem. Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches. Photo is dated 3-2-1944.”

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Model Jeep Built by Chinese Prisoners

• CATEGORIES: Features, Models This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This handmade jeep was made by Chinese Prisoners and presented to an American Gynecologist during the Korean War. It’s not completely clear, but I believe this was part of the Korean War Veterans National Museum & Library, which closed recently. Some (all?) of the collection was moved to the Truman Library. The photo and caption below was published as part of a January 2019 magazine article published by the Tru Magazine (a donor magazine published by the Truman Library Institute).

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Farm Jeep Photos

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

These photos shows a VEC CJ-2A with different implements. Note the passenger rear quarter panel damage. Perhaps that should have been a sign that perhaps the jeep wasn’t cut out for farming? (though I’m assuming the damage happened while farming).

Can anybody provided more info on the implements below? I couldn’t identify them.

1. This has a dual setup similar to the Love Tandem Disc Harrow, but with the spike tooth harrows rather than discs.

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2. This appears to be a Newgren Company Field and Pasture Cultivator:
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1944 Photo of French Colonial Army Assembling Jeeps on ebay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is a pretty cool photo.

View all the information on eBay

“1944 Press Photo French Colonial Army assembles US Army jeeps in Casablanca. This is an original press photo. World War II – Africa (Casablanca) – Black Cameroons, Senegalese troops of the French Colonial Army, are shown assembling American jeeps shortly after the little juggernauts arrived knocked down from the US. The Army Service Forces keep the supplies coming, not only to our own fighting men but to those of our allies. Scene is at CasablancaPhoto measures 6.5 x 8.75inches. Photo is dated 01-03-1944.”

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