WWII USMC UNIS marked 6x6 IHC

[SHodson]

Hi All,

I recently acquired an IHC M-5h-6 6x6 in original paint and markings. The UNIS marking is 4th Marines half moon with 612 in the center. I tried uploading a photo but I cant figure out how to reduce the file size to less than 251k. If interested let me know where to post because Id love to here some comments or suggestions.

Thanks

[Blacksmith]

612 is the designation for A Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Artillery Regiment.

 

Edit: I would respectfully add that when a Marine unit is referred to as *# Marines*, it is typically a reference to Regiment, not Division.

[SHodson]

Thanks for the info. Any idea where they may have served in the Pacific?

[Blacksmith]

From what I see, it looks like Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo.

[airborne53]

hello

pics from SHodson , great artillery tractor in original paint , he came from auction in california desert few weeks ago ?

 

olivier

 

[airborne53]

Thanks for the info. Any idea where they may have served in the Pacific?

depend date of delivery , if mid 1945 , too late or army of occupation , check dash board plate

[Blacksmith]

Just speculating, but if not in-theater with hostile enemy forces, why use an encrypted unit designation?

 

I am guessing, bare minimum, it was on Iwo.

 

I watched *Shooting Iwo Jima* again last weekend, which is the National Geographic documentary about Bill Genaust. Beyond being my favorite WWII documentary, it is virtually a UNIS fashion show.

 

Congrats to the OP for winning the *Largest UNIS-marked item* award. Incredibly cool.

[MCDUFF]

That is the coolest wartime original paintwork surviving vehicle I have ever seen! Please don't restore the paintwork!!

It must have been on Iwo (pending DOD data plate info)

I second your award Blacksmith - largest UNIS marked item!!

Just awesome!

[Blacksmith]

Man oh man, the more I look at this thing, the more I fall for it. What a beauty! I agree with McDuff, the paint is perfect as-is. Let us know once you get those tires aired up, and we will all come over for a ride.

[SHodson]

All,

Thanks for the input. If it was not for forums like this I would have begun a restoration on this beast of a truck. I acquired it at a recent auction in Desert Center Ca.(literally Gen. Patton’s desert training area in ‘42) . The son of the owner , now in his 70’s, told me his father bought it from the Base (probably Barstow) and drove it home sometime in the early 50’s. It never left the property and looks to have been well maintained until the early 90’s when the owner passed. I recently removed the fuel tank for cleaning and was crossing my fingers it could be reused. I was amazed to find the inside was like new with almost no evidence of corrosion. I am at this point working towards starting the truck, but only after all else is in order. Lube, fluids changed, new fuel pump, brakes etc... I would like to here opinions of how to preserve the original paint. How far to go as far as making it driveable like new repro tires that are 7:50x20 or inexpensive 9:00x20 used military surplus from more recent 2 1/2 ton trucks. The parts for this truck are nearly nonexistent. But the good news for me was this truck was said to be the better in most ways to the CCKW. Lots of really interesting info about these trucks on the web.

BTW, the date of delivery was 6/45 so who knows if it saw action or not. I have more photos so pm me and I can send some.

Thanks for your time and appreciation of History. Without folks like you things like this truck will be forever lost.

Sean

[huey]

A great find, Also check out g503 forum, the truck section, they the best on the ww2 vehicles.

[robinb]

Great looking truck. As far as the tires go, if it was mine I'd go with the 7:00x20 size that was original to her. Sure they cost more but that's what's supposed to be on her.