The History of DC Ducks

Ducks come from DUKW, a military acronym that designated the vehicle as amphibious military personnel carriers. D Stands for the year it was designated, 1942; U for its amphibious nature; K for its all-wheel drive; and W for its dual rear axles.

DUKW's were created following the attack on Pearl Harbor as a means to transport supplies from ships to areas that did not have port facilities. DUKW's were first used operationally during the invasion of Sicily. Nearly 90% of all supplies came in by DUKW on the vital second and third days of the invasion. D-Day brought a force of 2000 DUKW's to the Normandy coasts. The fleet was an essential element in the strategic surprise of the enemy which assumed the Allies needed a port to make an effective landing. DUKW's are standard 2 1/2 ton GM trucks in a water-tight shell with an added propeller.

Ducks come from DUKW, amphibious military personnel carriers

DC Ducks - Land & Water Tours on boats with wheels

Considered to be one of the most successful amphibious vehicles ever made, there were ultimately over 21,000 produced by a work force consisting mainly of women working in the war effort. After the war, the Army left many of the craft in the towns and villages where they had operated, so the DUKW's can still be found in different countries around the world.

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DC Ducks - Union Station, Washington D.C. 20018 • Telephone: (800) 213-2474 • E-mail DC Ducks

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