Where to find vehicle unit markings ???

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

The other day Tim put up a post about Markings and Stencils and I think I now know WHERE to put the markings on the truck. MY question is where do I look to find out what the actual markings should be for a specific unit. My Dad was in the 7th Division, 32nd Infantry back in 1956-58 and I'd like to surprise him by putting the correct markings for his unit on my truck.

I know he'd get a big kick out of that......every time we talk on the phone the first thing he asks me about is how's my "Army Truck". So if someone can point me in the right direction to find out what the proper markings were for a vehicle in that unit I'd be much obliged.

thanks,
bob

[w30bob]

Bump......some one out there has to know this......how did you come up with YOUR unit markings??

thanks,
bob

[Carter]

Get a copy of this from Portrayal Press before they go out of business, everything you need to know.



This is the way my truck was marked when it was still in active service and I used to drive it before it was sold thru Property Disposal, I just put back what was orig. there, I know, it's not much help to you but that's where my markings came from.

[w30bob]

Carter....thanks. Not to take any business away from Portrayal, but here's the link to the free online copy if anyone else wants this info.

http://www.vietnam.net.pl/TB746_en.htm.

It's a lot to digest......but looks like the right info!

regards,
bob

[Tom @ Snake River]

Rick Larson has always helped me with Unit markings, as to what they should be and how to properly arrange them.

[k8icu]

Bob,

Your truck is Air Farse so it's markings are different than Army markings. Bumber markings for the Army are as follows. The unit the vehicle belongs to. The next major command HQs above that and the next major command HQ above that. Looking at the truck it goes Left to right...Highest HQ ...next HQ...unit and number of the vehicle in the road march (Convoy) For example. 101AB 18MP C-23
101 Airborn Division, 18 MP Brigade, Charlie Company vehcile 23. BTW the higher HQs are on the Left hand side as looking at the vehicle and the unit and road march order are on the right hand side.

But AF markings are a different story. I think thier markings are something like SJ PD -1 ....Sky Jock Pimp Daddy vehicle 1. Or something like that... Sorry couldn't resist!

[Cal_Gary]

Just back from vacation and am catching up--I served with the 7th ID in '77-'78, and my M37 served in the division as well . You'd likely stencil 7I32INF on the passenger side, then the Company designator and vehicle number on the Driver's side (like A7 for example).
Gary

[w30bob]

Hi Guys,

Wow.....now I'm more confused than ever!

It's a bit hot and humid here today so I'm going to throw some burgers and dogs on the grill and hop in the pool..........before the storm hits. When I dry off later I'll get back to his one and see if you guys can straighten me out on these markings.

K8.....yeah, my truck is an AF truck....but right after I got it I threw a quick green paint job on it to keep the surface rust at bay. I only intend to put my Dad's unit markings on the truck when he comes to visit....just because he'll get a big kick out of it. Eventually I'll tear the girl down and restore here back to blue properly.

I'll get back to you guys in a bit.

thanks,
bob

[k8icu]

If you can find out your dad's unit Company, Battalion, Bridage, Division and so on you'll have better luck with the markings. Or if you can find a picture of a truck that would be the best resource.

[w30bob]

Hi K8,

Below is a cut and paste of what TB-746 says. If I'm reading it correctly here's where I'm at so far:

1.Major command, organisation, activity = 7th Division (which I assume is the same as 7th Army) = First Digit = "7A"
2.Intermediate organisation or activity = 32nd Infantry = Second Digit = "32"
3.Unit or activity = Airborne = Third Digit = "AB"
4.Vehicle number = UNKNOWN = I guess I can make this up

So if what I've got is right so far, from the last section below it should appear on the front bumper as "7A-32" on the passenger side and "AB-vehicle number" on the driver side. I admit I need to take the time to decipher what's below a bit better, but if I've done this wrong please let me know what it should be. Heck, I don't even know if Airborne had road vehicles......they jumped out of planes!!!

thanks,
bob

Here's what the manual says"



9 - Unit Identification.
a.These markings will be applied to vehicles and equipment by units to which they are assigned. The markings will be maintained at all times but will be removed when the vehicle or equipment is permanently transferred.

b.The unit identification markings will normally appear on both the front and rear of each vehicle, usually on vehicle bumpers when the vehicle is so equipped.
Other suitable surfaces, front and rear, may be used provided the unit identification marking does not conflict with the location and legibility of other markings. Where no suitable surface is available at the front or rear, the markings will be applied in an appropriate location on each side of the vehicle. If necessary, the unit identification may be applied to the vehicle mounted equipment. Refer to figures 2 through 8.

c.The markings will be of uniform letters and numerals of the largest size practical to use. They will not exceed the size of the registration number if on the same surface. In no case will the unit identification markings exceed 4 inches in height. Symbols used will be approximately the same size and stroke widths as the letter and numeral characters.

d.The unit identification markings will be applied with a gasoline soluble paint or removable vinyl markings. The markings will be applied in colours as prescribed in paragraph 5e.

e.Unit identification markings, when painted, will be applied with the use of stencils whenever possible. When stencils or removable vinyl decals are not readily available, the markings may be applied free hand with a brush at the discretion of the unit commander.

f.The unit identification markings are divided into 4 basic categories:

1.Major command, organisation, activity.
2.Intermediate organisation or activity.
3.Unit or activity.
4.Vehicle number.

g. Major Command, Organisation, or Activity are as follows:

1.Army. The Arabic numeral as assigned, followed by the letter A.
2.Corps. The Roman numeral as assigned, followed by the following applicable symbol:
a.Airborne. Letters AB.
b.Armoured. Equilateral triangle with base down.
3.Division. Arabic numeral is assigned, followed by the following applicable symbol:
a.Airborne. Letters AB.
b.Armoured. Equilateral triangle with base down.
4.Brigade. Arabic numeral as assigned, followed by letters BG.
5.Group. Arabic numeral as assigned, followed by letters GP.
6.Continental Army Command. Letters CARC.
7.Army Air Defence Command. Letters AADC.
8.Military District of Washington. Letters MDW.
9.Reception Centre. Letters RC.
10.Replacement Training Centre. Letters RTC, preceded by the applicable branch of service symbol.
11.Training Centre. Letters TC, preceded by the applicable branch of service symbol.
12.U.S. Army Materiel Command. Letters AMC.
13.U.S. Army Supply and Maintenance Command. Letters SMC.
14.U.S. Army Mobility Command. Letters MOCOM.
15.U.S. Army Missile Command. Letters MICOM.
16.U.S. Army Electronics Command. Letters ELC.
17.U.S. Army Munitions Command. Letters MUCOM.
18.U.S. Army Weapons Command. Letters WCOM.
19.U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. Letters TEC.
20.U.S. Army Combat Development Command. Letters CDC.
21.Major Overseas Commands. Appropriate and non-conflicting letters to properly identify the command.
22.Other Major Commands, Organisations, or Activities. Appropriate and non-conflicting letters and where applicable, numerals to properly identify the command, organisation, or activity.

h.Intermediate Organisation or Activity is as follows:

1.Regiment, Battalion, Separate Company or Detachment, or Similar Unit. Arabic numeral as assigned, followed by the applicable branch of service symbol.
a.Airborne. Letters AB.
b.Antiaircraft. Letters AA.
c.Amphibious. Letters APH.
d.Armoured. Equilateral triangle with base down.
e.Chemical. Letter C.
f.Engineer. Letter E.
g.Field Artillery. Letter F.
h.Infantry. Letter I, to be separated from the numeral by a dash 1/2 inch long.
i.Medical. Letter M.
j.Military Police. Letter P.
k.Ordnance. Letter O, to be separated from the numeral by a dash 1/2 inch long.
l.Quartermaster. Letter Q.
m.Signal. Letter S.
n.Transportation. Letter T.

2.Organisations under the Combat Arms Regimental System (DA Pam 220-1).
a.Battle Group (attached). Arabic numeral as assigned, followed by the letter B and basic identification of the infantry unit.
b.Reconnaissance Squadron. Arabic numeral assigned, followed by the letter R and basic identification of the cavalry unit.
c.Tank Battalion. Arabic numeral as assigned, followed by the armoured symbol and basic identification of the armoured unit.
d.Field Artillery Battalion. Arabic numeral as assigned, followed by the letter F and basic identification of the field artillery unit.

3.Installation. Appropriate non-conflicting letters, normally not to exceed 3, to identify the installation.

4.Other Intermediate organisation or activity. Appropriate non-conflicting letters and where applicable, numerals, to properly identify the organisation or activity.

5.No intermediate organisation or activity. Letter X.

i.Unit or Activity is as follows:
1.Company, Battery, or Other Company Type Unit. Letters as assigned, or one of the following symbols where applicable.
a.Headquarters and headquarters unit, or headquarters and headquarters service unit. Letters HQ. If the unit is of a battalion not previously identified, the numerical designation of the battalion will precede the letters HQ.
b.Service Unit. Letters SV. When the unit is of a battalion not previously identified, the numerical designation of the battalion will precede the letters SV.

2.Separate company or detachment identified in h above. One of the following symbols, as applicable:
a.Ammunition. Letters AM.
b.Automatic Weapons. Letters AW.
c.Construction. Letters CON.
d.Depot. Letters DP.
e.Guided Missile. Letters GM.
f.General Support. Letters GS.
g.General Automotive Maintenance. Letters GAS.
h.Heavy Weapons. Letters HW.
i.Maintenance. Letters MT.
j.Direct Support. Letters DS.
k.Missile. Letters MSL.
l.Mortar. Letters MR.
m.Parachute Maintenance. Letters PM.
n.Reconnaissance. Letter R.
o.Repair. Letters RP.
p.Rocket. Letters RT.
q.Other Name Units. Appropriate and non-conflicting letters, normally not to exceed three, to properly identify the name of the unit. When necessary, the numerical designation of the battalion will precede the applicable symbol.

3.Transportation Motor Pools at installation. Letters TMP.

4.Organisation or activity fully identified in h above. Letter X.

j.The vehicles will be numbered as indicated below.
1.This marking is the sequence number of the vehicle in the normal order to march within the unit to which it is assigned.
2.Vehicles assigned to any headquarters will be numbered with the vehicles of the appropriate headquarters unit, and will be given the lower sequence numbers used therein.
3.Vehicles assigned to transportation motor pools may be assigned numbers in any appropriate sequence.

k.Typical examples of the above markings are as follows:

1.1A-X-HQ-4. First United States Army, HQ & HQ Co, 4th vehicle.
2.VII-M-X-9. VII Corps, Med Det, 9th vehicle.
3.25-1B27-C-3. 25th Inf Div, lst Battle GP of 27th Inf, Co C, 3d vehicle.
4.4-2R8-A-6. 4th Inf Div, 2d Recon Sq of 8th Cav, Trp A, 6th vehicle.
5.3 -1 -32-B-7. 3d Armd Div, lst Tk Bn of 32d Armor, Co B, 7th vehicle.
6.10-2F7-C-2. 10th Inf Div, 2d Bn of 7th FA, Btry C, 2d vehicle.
7.82AB-32OF-D-5. 82d Abn Div, 320th FA, Btry D, 5th vehicle.
8.2 -1-150-A-8. 2d Armd Div, lst AR Bn of 50th Inf, Co A, Sth vehicle.
9.2BG-532APH-A-4. 2d Engr Amph Spt Brig, 532d Amph Spt Regt, Trans Boat Co A, 4th vehicle;
10.4GP-S-HQ-2. 4th Sig Gp, Hq & Hq Det, 2d vehicle.
11.2A-962-0-AM-5, Second United States Army, 962d Ord Ammo Co, 5th vehicle.
12.4A-483Q-REF-1. Fourth United States Army, 483d QM Refrigerating Co, lst vehicle.
13.3A-1M-SUR-10. Third United States Army, lst Surg Hosp, 10th vehicle.
14.5A-531T-TRK-7. Fifth United States Army, 531st Trans Trk Co, 7th vehicle.
15.1AADC-52ADA-3HQ-2. lst Rgn Army Air Def Comd, 52d Air Def Arty Rgt, Hq Btry of 3d Msl Bn, 2d vehicle.
16.TC-FE-TMP-12. Trans Corps, Ft Eustis, Trans Mtr Pool, 12th vehicle.
17.6A-FO-TMP-9. Sixth United States Army, Ft Ord, Trans Mtr Pool, 9th vehicle.

l.The unit identification markings will be applied on one line, whenever possible, and will consist of each of the four basic categories described above, in the same order, and separated by dashes 1 inch long. Where space is limited, requiring the use of two lines, the Major Command marking will appear directly above the Intermediate Activity, and the Unit Identification will appear directly above the Vehicle Number. The first two categories will appear to the left of the last two categories. The following arrangements are permitted:
1.f (1) --- f (2) --- f (3) --- f (4)
2.f (1) --- f (2) --- --- f (3) --- f (4)
3.f (1) --- f (3)
f (2) --- f (4)
4.f (1) --- --- f (3)
f (2) --- --- f (4)
m.When directed on authority from the responsible commander for security purposes the first and second categories listed in paragraph 9f (1) will be completely removed from all vehicles and equipment being shipped with units outside the continental United States.

[k8icu]

Bob,

7th Army 32 Airborn Division? That doesn't sound right.

A quick web search show the 7th Infantry Division 32nd Infantry Regiment. These where straight leg units and not Airborn. The markings for them would be 7I 32I on the left hand side as you look at the truck and then the Company or HQ if a HQ truck and the vehicle number which is on the right side A-23 for example. I've seen this varaition which is 7ID 32IR A-23

Also which war is your dad a vet of? WWII, Korea, VN? This will help determin the unit also. If you can find out what unit he was assigned to Company, Battalion HQ or Brigade HQ that will help with markings also.

Not only have I been involved with MV for over 30 Years but I have also been active in the Guard for the last 22 years so I'm going off of having seen it with both eyes knowledge. The documents you are refering to are guidlines as what was written wasn't always followed. Heck I've seen motorpools where the vehicles of the same unit were not marked the same.