Original Source Documents: May 27, 1943 - 'Award of Decoration' - Gen. George A. Lynch (Ret.) to Adjutant General
Contributor: Robert A. Notman
Source: Major General George A. Lynch Papers
812 Lake Formosa Drive
Orlando, Florida
May 27, 1943
To: The Adjutant General
Subject: Award of Decoration.
1. I recommend that the Distinguished Service Medal be awarded to Mr. Charles H. Payne, address 1200 16th St., N. W. Washington D. C. with citation in substance as follows:
As automotive engineer representing the American Bantam Co., he was chiefly responsible for the engineering design and development for use by the U. S. Army of the quarter-ton truck, popularly known as the Jeep. This vehicle has been adapted to use as weapons and ammunition carrier, prime mover, liaison truck and numerous other missions and has been employed with great success by American forces in campaign. In the engineering design and development of this vehicle, he has made the outstanding contribution to the tactical transportation of the Army during the current war and rendered service of signal value to the national defense.
2. The undersigned is moved to make the above recommendation by reason of the fact that Mr. Payne drafted the design of the "'Jeep" and prosecuted its development in collaboration with personnel of his office (Chief of Infantry) and in constant personal consultation with the undersigned. The undersigned is therefore intimately acquainted with all of the actions and the various steps which led to the development of the "Jeep" and is in a position to testify from his own personal knowledge as to Mr. Payne' s accomplishment.
3. While the "Jeep" was a completely developed vehicle prior to the commencement of the current war, the development was carried out in view of the imminence of war and has a direct bearing on current operations.
4. Probably no development during the current war and the preceding period of crisis has been greeted with such acclaim, both at home and abroad, as the quarter-ton-truck. There are also few cases in which the record is clearer as to the individuals responsible; this is especially true in the case of Mr. Payne.
5. Mr. Payne is entitled to credit, not only in respect to the design and development of the "Jeep" but also for his unremitting zeal in urging its merits on the various offices of the War Department and other interested a envies. But for his persistence, it is doubtful that the vehicle would ever have been adopted by the Army.
6. Other witnesses having intimate knowledge of Mr. Payne's part in this development include -
Major General Richard C. Moore
Brig. General Herbert J. Lawes
Colonel William F. Lee, Infantry.
Major General Retired
(Late Chief of Infantry)