| WW II Archaeological Discovery!!! Part III |
The Water Buffalo was lifted from its grave on Friday, 23 July 2004. Unfortuately, Jennings Bunn was on
leave and no one called the photo lab. I have no images of the lift.
The vehicle was moved to the Defense Reutilization Management Office (DRMO) lot. Even after being
forgotten for 60 years, this is still U.S. Government property, and must be dealt with properly. DRMO is the
office responsible for disposing of all military surplus, from old Army boots and Marine mess kits to Navy
Guided Missle Cruisers...and antique amtraks. I was able to visit my "old" friend (pardon the pun) at its new
site on Monday, July 26th.
leave and no one called the photo lab. I have no images of the lift.
The vehicle was moved to the Defense Reutilization Management Office (DRMO) lot. Even after being
forgotten for 60 years, this is still U.S. Government property, and must be dealt with properly. DRMO is the
office responsible for disposing of all military surplus, from old Army boots and Marine mess kits to Navy
Guided Missle Cruisers...and antique amtraks. I was able to visit my "old" friend (pardon the pun) at its new
site on Monday, July 26th.
(Left) Looking at the LVT'4's port side. In order to
lift the vehicle, the crew placed a lattice work of
"spreader bars" in the cargo bay to support the
weight of the craft and prevent it from collapsing.
(Below) a bow-on shot.
(Below Left) A portside view.
lift the vehicle, the crew placed a lattice work of
"spreader bars" in the cargo bay to support the
weight of the craft and prevent it from collapsing.
(Below) a bow-on shot.
(Below Left) A portside view.
A self portrait of me with the Water Buffalo. I am 6'3" tall; this will give you an idea of the size of
the craft. Ironically enough, this is as far inland as this particular amtrak ever got (if we assume it
had broken down where it was buried on base). 60 years is a little late to get beyond the beach head,
but, then, better late than never!
the craft. Ironically enough, this is as far inland as this particular amtrak ever got (if we assume it
had broken down where it was buried on base). 60 years is a little late to get beyond the beach head,
but, then, better late than never!
| A forgotten old veteran finds a new home! 27 December 2005 |
It has been nearly one-and-
a-half years since I'd seen my
"old friend". In Dember of 2005
my friend Tim and I visited the
Pacific War Museum, a private
and long-term project of Mr.
John Gerber, a prior Marine who
served in Vietnam. Right now
Mr. Gerber has a large collection
of military vehicles at his home
in Chalan Pago area of Guam.
a-half years since I'd seen my
"old friend". In Dember of 2005
my friend Tim and I visited the
Pacific War Museum, a private
and long-term project of Mr.
John Gerber, a prior Marine who
served in Vietnam. Right now
Mr. Gerber has a large collection
of military vehicles at his home
in Chalan Pago area of Guam.
Mr. Gerber acquired the LVT-4 from DRMO (he's the only man on Guam capable of restoring artifacts the size
of these mechanized war horses). He is, as of this writing, laying the foundations for the permanent home of the
Pacific War Museum on Chorito Ridge, which was strategic ground during the 1944 Liberation. Many of his
vehicles are in working condition and driven during parades. Unfortunately, this old war sea horse is in no shape to
ever be restored to operable condition. However, Mr. Gerber is planning to sandblast the rust off, repaint and
preserve the LVT-4, and place it at the museum's new home. Perhaps in a few years I can add another entry to this
chapter, showing you my "old friend" here in its final, permanent home.
of these mechanized war horses). He is, as of this writing, laying the foundations for the permanent home of the
Pacific War Museum on Chorito Ridge, which was strategic ground during the 1944 Liberation. Many of his
vehicles are in working condition and driven during parades. Unfortunately, this old war sea horse is in no shape to
ever be restored to operable condition. However, Mr. Gerber is planning to sandblast the rust off, repaint and
preserve the LVT-4, and place it at the museum's new home. Perhaps in a few years I can add another entry to this
chapter, showing you my "old friend" here in its final, permanent home.
