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Out of the strife of World
War II emerged America’s Greatest Generation
– heroes on the front line and on the
home front who endured the historic era.
It was during this time, too, that amphibious
vehicles called “Ducks” made their
mark.
Despite their celebrated status for their
ability to cross both land and water, Ducks
almost didn’t make it into action.
With our nation at peace, the idea of developing
amphibious vehicles was met with skepticism.
As America catapulted into war and the Duck
proved itself in a high-seas rescue at home,
top U.S. leaders gave the program a nod
and General Motors began rolling Ducks off
the assembly line.
The unique vehicles are officially called
D.U.K.W.s – which is a military code
representing characteristics of the vehicle.
(D = 1942 , U = amphibian, K = front-wheel
drive, W = rear-wheel drive). Nevertheless,
American GIs decided the name “Duck”
was a perfect fit.
Ducks have an impressive wartime record
participating in large amphibious operations
in both Europe and the Pacific during World
War II and the Korean War. Their finest
moment was D-Day, June 6, 1944, when more
than 2,000 Ducks were used to transport
troops and supplies at Normandy. It was
touted as the greatest amphibious operation
in history as Ducks allowed the Allies to
make a beachhead on the rugged shores of
northern France under heavy enemy resistance.
In the days following D-Day, three world
leaders were brought ashore at Normandy
onto newly liberated French soil using Ducks.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill,
Britain’s King George VI and the then
soon-to-be French President Charles De Gaulle
were all ferried to land using Ducks. The
lumbering Ducks, whose effectiveness was
at first doubted, became an unlikely success
story of the war.
Today Original Wisconsin Ducks actively
preserve these unique crafts by searching
the world over for Ducks. While they look
nostalgic, Original Wisconsin Ducks are
like new again after a rigorous refurbishing
process to prepare the vehicle for its new
tour of duty hauling vacationers over the
beautiful terrain of Wisconsin Dells.
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