Markings

djester · Post by **djester** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 5:12 pm

I'm finishing up painting my M37 and need to figure out the bumper markings.

My brother was in Viet Nam and I thought I'd mark it for him. He was in the 9th Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, Delta Company (3rd Squad!) Can anyone tell me what the appropriate markings should be?

Dave

Captnsim · Post by **Captnsim** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:09 pm

9I-3/6 on the pass side
D-1 on the driver side
May or may not have the I after the 9.
The number after D is the trucks #. 1 too how ever many they had.
I also could be wrong...

djester · Post by **djester** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:39 pm

Thanks, Robi, exactly what I needed.

Dave

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 6:50 pm

The 9I ext will be on the left hand side of the viewer as looking at the truck and the D-# will be on the right. So looking at the front of the truck the 9I will be on the passinger side and the D-# will be on the drivers. On the rear of the truck on the bumperetts the 9I will be on the drivers side and the D will be on the passingers. Cause we reads from left to right...

The truck number after the company marking D is the trucks place in the order of march or the convoy.

See if your brother has some picks from nam that you could see how they marked the trucks because they might have also marked it
9I 31I D-#
because it's (reading right to left in this case) unit, next higher HQ and then Division or Army.

djester · Post by **djester** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:06 pm

I ask him if he had any pictures of vehicles and he said they didn't see many land vehicles. Their transportation was helicopters and feet.

Appreciate the help.

Dave

cuz · Post by **cuz** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:38 pm

Your brother's unit has a very good web site at:
http://www.vietnam6bn31inf.com/history.htm
This unit has a very colorful history from the Phillipine's Death March in 1942 thrpugh Korea and into Vietnam.

This is a photo from the 31st D comp album on that web site

Here another image from their D comp album.

He's right about one thing, they used up a lot of shoe leather and jet fuel but very little mogas.

They at least ate well!

djester · Post by **djester** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:47 pm

Let me ask this, would 9 3/6 31I be appropriate? Rear bumper would read:

9 3/6
31I

That is kind of a combination of both suggestions.

Dave

cuz · Post by **cuz** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 7:55 pm

Did you look closely at the bumperettes on the deuce in the photo I posted?

In this photo you can make out an M37 behind the girl.

Here you can see they prefer to use the 9 6/31 arrangement.

djester · Post by **djester** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:18 pm

Cuz:

My brother is a child psychologist, working with disadvantaged children in Orlando. Only recently have we had detailed conversations about his experiences. He saw his share of action and was is situations I can't even imagine being in.

Only advantage is that, after Viet Nam, he says nothing in life can be as bad, which has given him a very good outlook on life.

Another thing, through that web site he has recently got in touch with some of his compatriots in Nam. He has even written some essays about his experiences. I think it has been good for him.

Dave

djester · Post by **djester** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 8:24 pm

Wow, Cuz! Perfect picture of the front of an M37, marked at the time! That's what I'm going to use. Thanks.

Dave

cuz · Post by **cuz** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:33 pm

Dave,
Next time you see your brother tell him Thanks for me!

djester · Post by **djester** » Sat Nov 14, 2009 9:43 pm

Cuz, will do . . . and well said.

Dave

k8icu · Post by **k8icu** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:57 am

Yep that front bumper is perfect and the way it should be done. My brother was in the 1/77 ADA 101AB in Phu Bia.

djester · Post by **djester** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:46 am

Thanks, guys. I knew you'd come through!

Dave