I found this picture in the Squadron Signal "U.S. Self-Propelled Guns in Action"
I don't know how many of you guys collect the Squadron Signal books, but they are having a heck of a sale for June. I bought a bunch.
Anyway the caption says the picture was taken on 14 July 1953 and is the 937FA. BUT it is the first combat picture I have found of an M37 in Korea. Also looks like an M38 Jeep in front of it. The big trucks look like Diamonds or Macks.
SEVERAL GREEKS FOUGHT ALONGSIDE WITH THE AMERICANS IN THE KOREAN WAR. ONE OF THEM WAS A COUSIN OF MY FATHER'S WHO WAS A PARATROOPER. HE REMEMBERED THE M37 FROM KOREA. GREEKS DID NOT HAVE THEM AT THE TIME, BUT AMERICANS DID.
LIFE IS SHORT AND ENDS UNEXPECTEDLY. MAKE EVERY MOMENT WORTH REMEMBERING.
Thanks for posting the photo. Finally, a photo of the illusive KW M37 in action. And I thought Bigfoot was hard to photograph.
I had read an After Action Report on some website that sounded like they were referring to the M37. I will have to look for it again to see what the date on it was. I had thought it was from 1952 or 1953. No photos, just a reference to what I think was the M37. I don't recall the verbiage but I definitely got the idea it was not a reference to the WWII era WC series.
Mike
Marion, IN
1954 M37 W/OW
1953 M101 Indiana MVPA
OK, found the KW written report. It is part of the Dissemination of Combat Information Reports series I found on one of the military heritage/history sites. Here is an extract from the report that refers to the M37, dated April 1953:
"PERFORMANCE OF NEW SERIES RADIO SETS. - The 39th FA Battalion was issued the new series radio sets, which were mounted in the interim M37 l/4- ton, 24- volt vehicles and in the 3/4- ton, 24- volt vehicles. Results have been satisfactory. The new radio sets outperformed the old sets sufficiently to allow elimination of relay stations. (Command Report - Eighth Army - April 53)"
I think there is a typo in the reference to the 1/4 ton, 24-volt vehicles and probably should read M38 and the M37 should be in front of the 3/4 ton reference. At least that is how I interpret it.
Mike
Marion, IN
1954 M37 W/OW
1953 M101 Indiana MVPA
I agree it was a common typo for M38 which was the acknowledged interim 1/4 ton because a year later the M38A1 was the main radio jeep in Korea and the Army knew it was coming and they showed up in large numbers in May/June 1953.