The D.U.K.W., developed by General Motors in 1942, was a vital asset to operations in World War II. As amphibious vehicles (able to operate both on land and in water), the D.U.K.W.s were a valuable asset for transporting U.S. troops and supplies to hard-to-reach areas.

D.U.K.W. stands for D = 1942, U = amphibian, K = front wheel drive, W = rear wheel drive. World War II GIs affectionately nicknamed the vehicles, Ducks. First used in "Operation Husky," the Ducks came to the rescue, as Landing Ship Tanks (LSTs) were incapable of reaching the shore due to the treacherous shoreline conditions that had rendered the cargo boats immobile. One hundred Ducks arrived at the Sicilian coast carrying 300 tons of ammunition and 28 loads of shore regiment equipment. Upon landing, the Ducks immediately rushed the ammunition and supplies 20 miles inland to the waiting troops. It has even been rumored that more than 100 Italian soldiers, surprised by the unusual vehicles and their capabilities, surrendered to American troops upon the arrival of the Ducks.

The Ducks went on to become one of the most celebrated vehicles of World War II and have been credited for playing an integral role in winning the wars in Europe and the Pacific. Participation for the Ducks in all major World War II and Pacific operations was sealed in October 1942, when the Chief of the Army Transportation Corps classified the vehicles as standard equipment and the U.S. Army Equipment Service issued production orders to General Motors in April of the following year.

Until mid-1943 the largest portion of the Ducks were shipped to North Africa which received 1,099 out of 1,535 produced through June of 1943 (4,508 vehicles were produced by the end of 1943). The Pacific and Europe did not receive adequate supplies until 1944, when production was accelerated to 11,316 vehicles. With 5,376 Ducks manufactured in 1945, the total figure reached more than 21,200 Ducks over a three-year period.

Between March 7 and March 31, 1945, seven Allied armies involving 370 Ducks crossed the Rhine to penetrate the heart of the Reich, playing a large role in the success of the operation. The Duck's most famous military usage was its participation in the historic D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 at Normandy, France where 2,000 Ducks were used to transport men and supplies from ship to shore.

Ironically, despite the success of the Ducks, the vehicle and its predecessors were initially viewed with tremendous skepticism and even hostility. When Roger W. Hofheins first approached the U.S. government on the subject of creating an amphibious vehicle, the nation was at peace and little need was anticipated for such a vehicle. However, one year later, the War Department appropriated funds toward the development of military equipment programs, including the development of amphibious vehicles, and assigned P.C. Putnam to the project.

The skepticism that shrouded the project turned into optimism when a U.S. Coast Guard vessel became shipwrecked along the Massachusetts coast during unstable sea conditions, causing normal lifeboats to be unable to reach the stranded crew. Coincidentally, two Ducks happened to be stationed nearby awaiting demonstration tests. Desperate to save the crew, the Coast Guard requested that the Ducks attempt to reach the stranded boat. Accompanied by a Coast Guard officer, Putnam and two others largely responsible for the design of the Ducks, maneuvered the vehicle and brought the stranded crew back to safety in less than six minutes.

The creation of the Ducks provided the army with a sophisticated transport vehicle with enough marine capabilities to overcome the rugged sea conditions. The technological advances of the Ducks allowed amphibious operations to reach their zenith during World War II.

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