GSS340
Well-Known Member
Nope not a mole...
I have my 8.75 out of my '69 dart and in the garage for resto while the body is on the rotisserire. Will stripping the paint off the housing I found it had at one time been bright yellow and once that paint came off I found something that made me think. Painted there on the center housing was the shield of the Americal Division...an Army division that served in Vietnam. I had sanded through part of it and the stripper took the rest off before I could save it but it was there and it looked like there was a unit name painted above and below it but that was too far gone to read.
My car was a Y14 sold car built Sept '68...did a returning soldier order this car and with great pride paint his unit patch there to show the world he was proud of serving or in memoriam for his lost buddies. It makes you think what went through his mind.
I do not know who the original owner was and probably will never know but being a soldier myself and proud of fellow soldiers past and present and the sacrifices made. I have decided the Americal Patch painting will go back on the rearend as a respected momento to this cars past. Maybe someone will see it and recognize it and be able to fill me in someday of its owner.
23rd INFANTRY DIVISION "Americal Division"
"Many men have served "Under the Southern Cross" with pride, courage and professionalism, defeating the enemy in each encounter from New Caledonia to Vietnam. We can take pride in the accomplishments of the past as well as those which today are spelling defeat for the enemy in Vietnam. Much has been asked of the Americal soldier, and in meeting these tasks, he has never failed an opportunity to do more. Rugged field operations, numerous Vietnamese training projects, quiet medical and agricultural programs all carried forth with personal and unit professionalism have made the Americal Division into the Army's finest force. "
I have my 8.75 out of my '69 dart and in the garage for resto while the body is on the rotisserire. Will stripping the paint off the housing I found it had at one time been bright yellow and once that paint came off I found something that made me think. Painted there on the center housing was the shield of the Americal Division...an Army division that served in Vietnam. I had sanded through part of it and the stripper took the rest off before I could save it but it was there and it looked like there was a unit name painted above and below it but that was too far gone to read.
My car was a Y14 sold car built Sept '68...did a returning soldier order this car and with great pride paint his unit patch there to show the world he was proud of serving or in memoriam for his lost buddies. It makes you think what went through his mind.
I do not know who the original owner was and probably will never know but being a soldier myself and proud of fellow soldiers past and present and the sacrifices made. I have decided the Americal Patch painting will go back on the rearend as a respected momento to this cars past. Maybe someone will see it and recognize it and be able to fill me in someday of its owner.
23rd INFANTRY DIVISION "Americal Division"
"Many men have served "Under the Southern Cross" with pride, courage and professionalism, defeating the enemy in each encounter from New Caledonia to Vietnam. We can take pride in the accomplishments of the past as well as those which today are spelling defeat for the enemy in Vietnam. Much has been asked of the Americal soldier, and in meeting these tasks, he has never failed an opportunity to do more. Rugged field operations, numerous Vietnamese training projects, quiet medical and agricultural programs all carried forth with personal and unit professionalism have made the Americal Division into the Army's finest force. "
