Photograph of Army Recruitng Truck in Queens, New York - late 30s, 40s?

Discussion in 'Militaria' started by Bookahtoo, Jul 12, 2023.

  1. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    This is an original 8 x 10 B & W photo of an Army Recruiting Truck in Queens.
    The truck looks like a Mack Crew Cab 2 1/2 ton Military Truck but I'm not sure about the year.

    The poster on the front of the truck says Enlist in your home regiment. Join the 62nd C.A./A.A.. Fort Totten, New York.

    One thing I am confused about - was the Army out actively recruiting before Pearl Harbor? I'm trying to get a more precise date.

    Thanks for any help.

    smallerwwiircruitmenttruck.jpg

    recruittruck-crop3.jpg

    recruittruck-crop2.jpg

    recruittruck-crop1.jpg
     
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  2. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    How do you know it was taken in Queens? This helps. Pre-World War II according to seller.

    Debora

    Screen Shot 2023-07-12 at 11.57.23 AM.png
     
  3. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

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  4. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Because the poster on the front of the truck says:

    Enlist in your home regiment. Join the 62nd C.A./A.A.. Fort Totten, New York.

    and Fort Totten is in Queens. And the guys look like they're actively recriuting.
     
  5. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    It may be in Patchogue, NY on Long Island. This is from 1928.
    Screen Shot 2023-07-12 at 12.41.55 PM.png

    It also looks like a mild December day. Note the fresk cut Christmas trees behind them.
     
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  6. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    Patchogue is way too far from Fort Totten to be advertising for recruits to "Your Home Regiment."
     
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  7. pearlsnblume

    pearlsnblume Well-Known Member

    I would wager a guess that they were recruiting before the war. I think they wanted to try to get people to enlist. JMHO
     
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  8. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Thanks @Bakersgma! I wouldn't know. I guess I shouldn't be too specific regardless of what their poster says.

    Thanks @Roaring20s - I couldn't find them.

    That makes sense to me - that truck looks more 30s than 40s to me.

    Thanks for finding that poster @Debora.
     
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  9. pearlsnblume

    pearlsnblume Well-Known Member

    From the way those boys are dressed, it looks like the era of "Leave It To Beaver"
     
  10. evelyb30

    evelyb30 Well-Known Member

    They were recuiting 1939 - 41. When it broke out in Europe they knew we'd probably get into it eventually.
     
  11. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

  12. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    I sincerely doubt that Hartl & Lederer had only 1 location. The Island is 108 miles long, containing 4 counties, 2 of which are boroughs of New York City (Queens and Brooklyn.) The other 2, Nassau and Suffolk are quite large themselves. Patchogue is in Suffolk County on the southern coast of the island. It was the largest town in that area, and still is. It's about 40 miles from there to the Queens border.
     
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  13. pearlsnblume

    pearlsnblume Well-Known Member

    Butcher goes out and liquor store comes in. Very sad to see the downfall.
    Great find Roaring.

    I have never been out there. Would take me forever to drive there.
     
  14. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Those are definitely the buildings in my picture @Roaring20s! Thanks!
     
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  15. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    Here's a bit of fun with the images ...
    Screen Shot 2023-07-12 at 2.21.25 PM.png
     
  16. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Wow - that's cool.
    What program did you use?
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2023
  17. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Look at the license plate on the car behind the truck:


    recruitplate.jpg

    It's when I see things like this that I realize how much I don't know.
     
  18. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

    Nothing special, it's just what came standard on my Mac; Preview, and Pages. :cool:
     
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  19. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    The only Hartl & Lederer I could find was in Syosset but Patchoque makes sense for a branch.

    Debora
     
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  20. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    The truck might be a GMC AFWX-354 1939-40:
    GMC AFWX-354.jpg

    This shows a very similar truck (but not specifically ID'd) with the side-mounted wheel:
    GMC AFWX-354 -a.jpg

    Probably not exactly that model. The windows in the second pic look the same as in your pic, but the one I found identified (1st pic) has rounder windows and no side tire.

    And another pic:
    00aa.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2023
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