Veterans recall meaning of Jeeps in the military
Veterans from across the region shared their stories of service, and how the Jeep assisted them along the way, during a luncheon at VA Butler Healthcare earlier this month.
Before the Humvee, the Jeep was the vehicle many militarymen relied on during their service. World War II and Vietnam-era vets remembered how Jeeps lead them to new experiences, and in some cases, saved their lives.
Rudy Gestl, 97, a World War II Army vet serving in India, recalled how Jeeps were modified to drive on railroad ties because there were no paved roads at the time.
“We put different wheels on them,” he said. “The Army was responsible for the railroad so we took care of 88 miles of track one way and 44 the other way. The train was the direct route to the hospital.”
Gestl served from 1943 to 1946.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dean Kroh, 92, who was fresh out of medical school, served in the Army in Japan. The memories that stay with him most were of his time working at a leper colony.
“I saw my first leper patients. Young people in their 20s had leprosy. And there wasn’t much we could do for them. We used a Jeep to get us where we needed to go to care for the sick,” he said. “That Jeep saw the roughest use but we would get it repaired and continue on.”
One of those diagnosed with leprosy told him something he’d never forget.
“I’m glad I have leprosy because I found Jesus Christ,” Kroh recalled one man telling him.
Kroh served from 1947 to 1949.
Meanwhile, Bill Persuitte, 74, a Vietnam-era Army vet, told the group how a General gave him an opinion about his Jeep, and it wasn’t a good thing.
“I was a Private First Class assigned as a driver for our Company Commander,” he said. “I was instructed to deliver a package to the base post office. My Jeep, which was the Company Commander’s Jeep, had just come back redecorated by our energetic maintenance people at the motor pool.
“The Jeep was repainted in a high lacquer as opposed to the muted olive color. The seats were refinished in vinyl. The gear shift had a bright brass knob.”
Persuitte, who was stationed in Fort Campbell, Ky., at the time, crossed paths with General William Westmoreland, Division Commander for the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.
“I explained as best as I could, which was followed by the officers instructing me to get the Jeep back to motor pool and to have it restored to its original design and to report back to Division Headquarters in one week for inspection,” Persuitte said. “I was also told to have my Company Commander report to the General. I was so scared.”
About a half dozen other veterans also told their stories at the luncheon.
