General Eisenhower Jeep France

General Eisenhower Jeep France, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Four Stars for General Eisenhower. Enjoying a light moment in his private Jeep Willys MB in France. I retouched the dust from the General's face and cleaned up the image. Deserved a little love.

Korean Hero by his M38 Jeep

Korean Hero by his M38 Jeep, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Captain J.W. Finley supports himself between two M38 Jeep vehicles after suffering severe neck and facial shrapnel wounds from an exploding Chinese grenade.

Captain Finley of Hazelhurst, Ga., was assigned to Company F, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He resolutely refused to leave his duty until he finished directing first aid treatment and evacuation of wounded men of his company. A hero to be sure - Captain Finley retired a Colonel in the U.S. Army and served three tours in Korea, a tour in Vietnam, as well as duty in Japan, Turkey and Germany.

Image taken on February 22, 1951.

Image courtesy of the U.S. Army Korea Media Center at: imcom.korea.army.mil

This image is part of the Creative Commons and is cleared for public release. This image is generally considered in the public domain. Not for commercial use.

SC359740 - KOREAN CONFLICT

Jeep Transporting Wounded Soldier

Jeep Transporting Wounded Soldier, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Bullet holes in the windshield of this Jeep are a testament to the faithful service of the Medics of the 84th Division as they evacuate wounded soldiers in their makeshift Jeep ambulance.

The Medics are carrying two soldiers wrapped up in blankets to keep them warm in the frigid cold. The litters are strapped to a makeshift frame attached to the flat-hooded Jeep 4x4.

This Jeep caravan was part of the 1st Battalion, 334th Infantry Regiment. Image was taken on January 9th, 1945.

Thanks to Kathleen for posting this Creative Commons image from the Otis Historical Archives in the National Museum of Health and Medicine.

Medics in Jeep Ambulance

Medics in Jeep Ambulance, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

I'm thankful for the many soldiers that put themselves in harms way for the sakes of others. For those who risk their lives for our freedom.

The versatile Jeep with its flat hood and 4WD traction served as a perfect makeshift ambulance for Medics bringing injured soldiers back from the front lines.

Medics of the 84th Division bring casualties back on their Jeep, near Samres, Belgium. They were part of the 1st Battalion 334th Infantry Regiment. Image was taken January 13, 1945.

Thanks to Kathleen for posting this Creative Commons image from the Otis Historical Archives in the National Museum of Health and Medicine.

Jeep assists Medal of Honor Winner

Jeep assists Medal of Honor Winner, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

A Jeep 4x4 was instrumental in the heroic efforts of Private First Class Harold C. Agerholm, U.S. Marine Corps was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic efforts in single-handedly evacuating 45 casualties in an abandoned Jeep ambulance.

Agerholm tirelessly re-entered the fray in his Willys MB under heavy fire for a three hour marathon mission.

This halftone reproduction of a photograph was copied from the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 149.

Official copy reads:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Fourth Battalion, Tenth Marines, SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan, Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944.

When the enemy launched a fierce, determined counterattack against our positions and overran a neighboring artillery battalion, Private First Class Agerholm immediately volunteered to assist in the efforts to check the hostile attack and evacuate our wounded.

Locating and appropriating an abandoned ambulance Jeep 4x4, he repeatedly made extremely perilous trips under heavy rifle and mortar fire and single-handledly loaded and evacuted approximately 45 casualities, working tirelessly and with utter disregard for his own safety during a gruelling period of more than 3 hours.

Despite intense, persistent enemy fire, he ran out to aid two men whom he believed to be wounded Marines but was himself mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper while carrying out his hazardous mission.

Private First Class Agerholm's brilliant initiative, great personal valor and self-sacrificing efforts in the face of almost certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

He gallantly gave his life for his country."

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Jeep 4x4 carrying casualties - Normandy 1944

Jeep 4x4 carrying casualties - Normandy 1944, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Jeep 4x4 at Normandy Invasion, 1944

A Jeep 4x4 brings casualties to a LST for evacuation from the Normandy beachhead, 13 June 1944.

Note the bulldozer just beyond the Jeep 4x4, and the line of German prisoners of war marching by in the background.

This appears to be "Utah" Beach.

Photo #: 80-G-252779. Uploaded on Flickr by Lee Ekstrom.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

M-715 4x4 In action

American Success Story - Pius Nyamora

In 1994, while working as Manager of a Ritz Camera & One Hour Photo in suburban Detroit, I placed an ad in the local newspaper for a sales position. A man called in response to the advertisement - I marked his name in my Franklin Planner for the following day at noon ... Pius Nyamora.

The interview was unlike any other that I had ever had. Pius spoke more with his eyes than his voice. We didn’t discuss his qualifications – we discussed his story. His life’s journey. Where he had been and why, at the age of 44 year, he was sitting here seeking a job for near minimum wage.

Pius told of his writing and critical views of the oppressive Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi’s government. How, as editor and publisher of Society, Pius sought greater democratic accountability in the Kenyan government. He spoke of government oppression, of being unlawfully arrested for speaking out against Moi and the fire-bombing of his office. Of how he and his wife, Loyce were granted political asylum in the United States. But asylum doesn’t pay the bills.

Pius was struggling to make ends meet selling Kenyan curios they brought with them. It was obvious he needed a job. Explaining his qualifications to my superior was another matter. The Regional Manager, Chuck Crawford was somewhat skeptical of his sales ability, but gave me the choice none-the-less. I took it and hired Pius rather than the other candidates.

In my twenty-seven-year-old eyes Pius was a hero. He believed in democracy and often talked fondly of his homeland and people. Pius also believed in what many call the American dream. Ritz Camera declared bankruptcy this year, but Pius now has two master’s degrees, teaches at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, and is an expert in local and foreign policy, democracy, immigration and diversity issues.

The collective melting pot of America is stronger for giving Pius and his family domicile from the oppressive Moi government. Pius is a survivor and I am blessed for having known him and perhaps helping in the smallest way get established in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.