Though hardly sleek or stylish, the hull of this truck was designed by famed yacht designer and 1937 America’s Cup winner Roderick Stephens. The automotive components were developed by GMC, based on its 2 1/2-ton, 6×6 model CCKW cargo truck. Though ungainly looking, the DUKW was outstandingly seaworthy. Though envisioned as a means to transport equipment and men from ship onto the shore, and some distance beyond, they were also used inland, notably during the crossing of the Rhine.
The DUKW was standardized in October 1942, and production began immediately at the Yellow Coach plant in Pontiac, Mich., which was also home to CCKW production.
Despite its successful demonstrations and tests, the DUKW was not fully appreciated by many in the military until after its successful use during the invasion of Sicily. After that, the DUKW’s place in history was sealed.
Demand for the DUKW became so great that a second production facility had to be added, this one at the Chevrolet plant in St. Louis, Mo. Production totaled 21,147 vehicles by the time production ceased at war’s end.
The name DUKW is an acronym resulting from GMC model code: D indicates 1942 model year design, U is utility truck, amphibious, K for all-wheel drive, W for tandem rear axles.
Because of its unique abilities, the U.S. military did not phase the DUKW out of service until the 1960s.
