The need was overwhelming. “The War Department will require 186,000 motor trucks to equip a field force of 1,400,000 men,” Robert P. Patterson stated. His words carried clout since he was Assistant Secretary of War. It was not the normal pleasant exchange of conversation that took place at an annual dinner of the Society of Automotive Engineers. But it had to be said.
The dinner was at The Hotel Commodore in New York City on Oct. 15, 1940.
