SUPPORT, SALVAGE, AND REPAIR

Fellow enthusiasts and collectors of historic military vehicles (HMVs) are deeply involved in the preservation and restoration of their vehicles. So much so, we frequently neglect to think about or remember that these purpose-built vehicles’ early histories may reflect some hard use and trying times before they became “historic” military vehicles.

SALVAGE, REPAIR, AND REPLACEMENT

The salvage, repair, and replacement of all the items a soldier uses are major undertakings for the military, especially in harsh, combat conditions. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military had developed an extensive support system in each of the Corps areas of the country. The III Corps’ support area in south central Vietnam was largely focused at the US base at Long Binh.

In 1969, I arrived at the 90th Replacement at Long Binh where I was assigned to the 59th Signal Company (Detached) of the 79th Maintenance Battalion. I never did figure out why a Signal Company was assigned to a Maintenance Battalion. That was one of the great mysteries of military life as I came to know it.

At that time, the Company had nothing to do with signals, so I never worked my MOS (Military Occupation Specialty). Instead, my first jobs included driving an M35 cargo truck hauling priority air freight arriving in-country, spare parts, recovering equipment between Bien Hoa, Tan Son Nhut, and Long Binh, and pulling perimeter security.

Any veteran can tell you that the tour was made up of long periods of hard work and boredom, short periods of good times (now frequently