September 1945, 80 years ago this month, World War II came to an end. That conflict defined America as the greatest nation on earth.
In just 5 years, we transformed from neutrality to building the most powerful military in history. Our car factories and shipyards were retooled and out-produced all the allies and enemies combined by building 1159 ships, 374,750 airplanes, 2.4 million trucks, 88,450 tanks, and 41 billion rounds of ammunition! The USA won the war by outproducing the rest of the world combined. To this day, the conversion from a peacetime economy to the ability to build 174 planes and 300 Jeeps a day is a feat that will never be equaled.
Buried in those numbers were 648,000 Jeeps, including Arlington native Russ Ross’s 1946 Willys model MB. It is authentic and complete with shovel, axe, winch, tow bars, tools and Browning M2, 50-caliber machine gun! This is THE LITTLE CAR THAT WON THE WAR.
Our enemies had planes, tanks and trucks too, but they didn’t have 648,000 Jeeps.
The Germans could produce only 50,000 of their slower, less nimble Kubelwagens.
The Jeep, built by both Ford and Willys, was a remarkably simple, versatile design that could run through over 3 feet of water, adapt to pump water or air, haul a half ton, and even plow a field. Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of all U.S. Forces in Europe and the future 34th President of the United States, along with Army Chief of Staff George Marshall, called the vehicle “America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.” As recent as 1991, the Jeep MB was still being recognized for its impact when the American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated it an “International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark.”
The design was completed in only 75 days! A 60-horsepower 4-cylinder engine coupled to a 3-speed manual transmission, and 4-wheel drive delivered a top speed of 65 mph … 15 mph faster than the Kubelwagen. Only 11’ long and 5’ wide and weighing about 2000 pounds … it is tiny compared to today’s Jeep that is 18’ long, 7’ wide and weighs 3 ½ times as much … but it is air conditioned!
This small, nimble, versatile, rugged, reliable little machine became indispensable in all manner of positive tasks that made our ground forces far more flexible and efficient than their opponents. It symbolized our country’s ability to go from observer to victor in about the same amount of time that has passed since the COVID pandemic.
Russ Ross’s family, wife Michele, son Gage, and daughter Mason, are now the 4th generation here in our city. His office is across the street from his grandfather’s home that still sits proudly on West Randol Mill Road, surrounded by the beautiful Forest Park neighborhood that was developed by his grandfather, Cecil Ross, 7 decades ago. Ross’s uncle Albert was immersed in military history, and he encouraged Russ to read books from his vast library. Russ remains fascinated by the history and tools of war, particularly airplanes and, of course, his Jeep.
Russ inherited Uncle Albert’s library and has added a wide array of rare military memorabilia to create his own private museum that has displays integrated beautifully into the décor of his business offices. Model planes and actual hardware … like Japanese hand guns, survival kits, flare pistols, and a complete instrument panel from a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress … all integrated beautifully and turn a visit into an experience.
An experience that I truly enjoyed was sharing our appreciation for the significance of World War II and the role our country played in preventing the destruction of the freedoms we take for granted today. Russ is passionate about the importance of this lesson being an important part of our public education.
He is also an accomplished photographer of the highest order. I saw incredible examples of his work, ranging from the smallest hummingbird in flight to massive natural wonders and the “art” of everyday objects.
Russ’s Jeep runs like a top, is authentic in every way, and is a great conversation starter whenever he ventures out. It is a mobile ambassador for his thriving business, helping people navigate the complex web of personal financial security, taxes, and money management. I called him the “Dollar Doctor” at the Ross Wealth Group. He prides himself on building meaningful relationships and security for his clients … he calls it a “Flight Plan.”
He also enjoys sharing his vast knowledge and his magnificent collection of artifacts from the most important event in modern American history, symbolized by his Little Car That Won The War.
