ABILENE, Texas — The 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum received a grant by the family of a 12th legacy to restore their 1944 M3A1 Half Track.
The Half Track was given to the museum about 18 years ago by a volunteer fire department.
"To preserve the heritage of these men and tell their story, we want to take one of these two vehicles, bring it back to running condition,” museum executive director, William Lenches said.
According to Lenches, no civilian vehicles were manufactured towards the end of World War II, so the war department started giving their own vehicles away.
"Farmers, doctors, people who needed to make house calls ...and so we have a lot of these vehicles in the states, but many of them have been stripped and modified from their original condition,” Lenches said.
The Half Track is currently being restored in Clyde, Texas by the CEO of Supermarine Aircraft, Mike O’Sullivan. However, the total cost for restoration is about $60,000 and the museum needs an estimated $30-$40,000.
The museum hopes to use the Half Track in parades and give rides to families visiting.