Does anyone know in what year was the registration marking on US Army vehicles changed from "U.S.A." and number to "US Army" and number? I think it was during Korean War or shortly after it, but I would like to know more precise date.

Pawel

Pawel - I went through my copy of Army Regulation 850-5 (US Military Vehicle Markings WW 2) to find an answer. Though I have 10 change orders to the regulations from 1942 through 1944, none specifically state a change in designation from the Service Branch (U.S.A. = US Army) identification other than the color of the marking.

Note: In photos of US Forces engaged in Pacific Theatre action in 1945 - you begin to see "US ARMY" in place of the "U.S.A" service branch designation. Many historians believe this is due to photo censorship - but that strikes one as odd to be sure. Usually the markings are removed altogether. Before he passed away, I asked my Father-In-Law about these photos and markings. He was a veteran of the Battle for Okinawa. He did remember the "US ARMY" markings on many of the tanks and amtracks, though there were still some of the "U.S.A." markings on other ordnance.

He also related that he spent much more time ducking and covering - so actually paying close attention to markings wasn't a priority at that time.

I'd be inclined to recommend the 1945-post time period in answer to your question. Maybe Kurt Laughlin is out on site and picks up on this thread. He may have some reference goodies to nail this down more closely.

Gunnie

Thanks Jim!

Most photos from Korean War I saw show "U.S.A." markings on vehicles, but later pictures show mainly "US Army" marking, so I assume the general change of marking must have happen late during Korean War or some short time after it.

Pawel

It might be a fun mystery to unravel to be sure! I hope some other members pick up on this thread and chime in.

Gunnie

I'd be inclined to put this change in at around 1947... Why? well this was the date of the formation of the U.S.A.F. Therefore the U.S. Army had undergone a significant change. There was a considerable period of inter-service squabbling at that period as well - many believed that the U.S. Army should take control of the 'Bomb' for example.

I would tend to see it in its historical context (as usual ) with the 'definition' of territory being laid out for the world to see. Probably I am well off-base with this argument but perhaps not...

Remember the 'revenge' of the Army came in the early 1960s when they finally got their own 'Air-Force'...Just a thought...Jim

You're probably correct Jim, although I don't know for sure. Along with the establisment of the US Air Force as a separate entity, the "War Department" became the Department of Defense, and the Secretaries of the Army and Navy both became subordinate to the "SECDEF" at that time. I'm sure there are enough photos of vehicles out there with reasonable dates to get close.

It's funny. When I went on Active Duty in 1972, and vehicles were still painted OD with white stars and bumper numbers, although they all said "US Army" the number was still being referred to as the "USA Number".

Tom

I'm not sure that is very conclusive in determining the date. Many of the vehicles used in Korea were from stocks originally intended for WWII. Unless there was good reason to do so, it is unlikely these vehicles would have been repainted (thus changing USA to US ARMY). The registration numbers would have been issued and painted at the factory.

Good question, though, Pawel. I'm looking in my refs ... like Gunnie said, maybe Kurt Laughlin has some info ...