1 AUG--This Day in US Military History

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:14:40 -0400

1941 – Parade magazine called it “…the Army’s most intriguing new gadget…a tiny truck which can do practically everything.”

During World War I, the U.S. Army began looking for a fast, lightweight all-terrain vehicle, but the search did not grow urgent until early 1940. At this time, the Axis powers had begun to score victories in Europe and Northern Africa, intensifying the Allies’ need for an all-terrain vehicle. The U.S. Army issued a challenge to automotive companies, requesting a working prototype, fit to army specifications, in just 49 days. Willy’s Truck Company (some sources say American Bantam) was the first to successfully answer the Army’s call, and the new little truck was christened “the Jeep.”
General Dwight D. Eisenhower said that America could not have won World War II without it. Parade was so enthusiastic about the Jeep, that, on this day, it devoted three full pages to a feature on the vehicle.

https://thisdayinusmilhist.wordpress.com/2005/08/01/august-1/

August 1

1 August 1498 - Italian explorer Christopher Columbus sets foot on the American mainland for the first time, at the Paria Peninsula in present-day Venezuela. Thinking it an island, he christened it...

Response by Sgt Ken Prescott made Aug 1 at 2015 2:20 PM

Sgt Ken Prescott — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:20:09 -0400

Back when we could actually write a specification in less that 2,000 pages...or, in other words, when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Aug 1 at 2015 2:20 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 14:20:23 -0400

That was the new work horse on the battle field.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Aug 1 at 2015 5:08 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 17:08:45 -0400

I want one...................

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Aug 1 at 2015 8:15 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 20:15:19 -0400

Also, on this day....

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 4 at 2015 10:53 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:53:56 -0400

Grandpa Louis used to take me Fishing in a WWII Jeep. Will always have a certain affection for this vehicle.