General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower once attributed the Allied victory in World War II to four things, one of which was the Jeep. During the war, the U.S. military required a new all-terrain vehicle, capable of transporting both men and materiel. This new vehicle became known as the “Jeep,” although the exact origins of the name are not known for certain. Almost 650,000 Jeeps were produced during World War II. One of the main manufacturers of the Jeep was Willys-Overland Motors, a forerunner of today’s Chrysler Motors.
View more pictures of the Jeep in our photo gallery.
Chrysler's Generosity
In May 2008, in recognition of Military Appreciation Month, Chrysler Motors presented the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation with a donation of $100,000 for its 5-Star Campaign, as well as a fully restored World War II Jeep. The goal of the fund-raising effort is $4.5 million to expand and modernize the MacArthur Memorial’s exhibit and educational facilities.
“In keeping with Chrysler's tradition of support for the U.S. military and the courageous men and women who defend this great country, the company and our foundation are proud to contribute to the MacArthur Memorial,” said Bob Nardelli, the automaker’s chairman and chief executive officer. “We want to make sure that future generations understand General MacArthur's ideals of ‘Duty, Honor and Country,’ and appreciate the heroic sacrifices made by so many who have and continue to serve in the United States armed forces.”