What does DUKW stand for?
- D = First year of production code "D" is for 1942
- U = Body style "U" utility truck (amphibious)
- K = Front wheel drive. GMC still uses that on trucks today (K5 Chevy Blazer)
- W = Two rear driving wheels (tandem axle)
DUKWs were originally used in World War II to carry supplies from ships to points on land.
Without the DUKW supplies would have to be loaded from the large ships into smaller boats. The boats would have to be unloaded at the shore and the cargo reloaded into trucks, which would carry the cargo to the supply depots.
The DUKW saved time by being able to be loaded at sea and drive up on land directly to where the supplies were needed.
DUKWs have seen most of their use in WWII and the Korean War. After helicopters were invented the DUKWs usefulness as a supply vehicle was diminished.
Additional Reading Material About DUKWs and Amphibious Warfare (In association with Amazon.com)
 Hit the Beach : The Drama of Amphibious Warfare (Cassell Military Classics Series)
by Simon Foster
 Storm Landings : Epic Amphibious Battles in the Central Pacific
by Joseph H. Alexander, Carl E. Mundy Jr
 Amtracs: U.S. Amphibious Assault Vehicles
Steven Zaloga Contribution by Terry Hadler Contribution by Mike Badrocke
Few military operations are as difficult and risky as an amphibious landing against a contested beachhead, and this is where amtracs come into their own. Amtracs covers these specialized assault vehicles from the early 1920's prototypes through their many manifestations over the past 70 years, with the most up-to-date changes and developments in amtrac design and deployment.
 Amphibious Vehicles (Land and Sea)
Michael Green James Petersen
Discusses the history and military use of several amphibious vehicles, highlighting specific models and their roles in various battles.
 Iwo Jima: Amphibious Epic
Whitman S. Bartley
Discusses the history and military use of several amphibious vehicles, highlighting specific models and their roles in various battles.
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