I have a 1955 M38A1 and need help figuring out the unit markings on the rear bumperettes. The left bumperette has USAR. I assume this to mean US Army Reserve? Was this common? I haven't seen any more with this on the web. The right has A-111. I figure this must be Alpha Co. 111th. The other numbers are unreadable. Since previous owners said it probably stayed in the Va, area all it's life, closest match found on web is 29th Infantry Div, 111th Field Artillery Batallion, A company in Richmond Va. Is this logical? How would the bumperettes read? Under the USAR should there be F 29? and under the A-111 , the vehicle number?
The 29th ID is a Army National Guard unit and would unlikely have USAR on the bumperette. On the right is usually only the company and the vehicle number not the regiment number.
The difference in time is the question but today it would be
29 ID 1-111 FA A-111
Some may have VAARNG over the 29 ID 1-111 FA. They may leave off the FA.
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O.K., The USAR on the right bumperette makes no sense. May have been added later. In cleaning up the engine and replacing the master cylinder, I found a rebuild tag on the engine block it says Serial NO MD-95556. Overhauled at FT. BNNG GA. 17 Date 4 ? ? 7. Bore std. Rods std mains std. The right rear bumperette A-111 means Alpha Co. 111th vehicle. Now I have to find an Alpha Co. from the 1955 period at Ft. Benning Ga. that had at least 111 vehicles. Any ideas on units at Ft. Benniing during that ear? I'll try researching Ft. Benning and see if they have a unit historian. Is the 17 the person who rebuiilt the engine? Since it's a 55 I would expect the 6 to be a 66, or 76.
need help with Bumperette markings on M38A1
