Mr.Oshkosh " Historian of Oshkosh Trucks"

ARFF 1, Columbus Airport, Columbus, GA
2025 Oshkosh Global Striker 3rd Generation
2250/1500/220F/550PKP 4x4
#44188
(Dave Organ photo)

Today we pause to remember and honor the courageous heroes who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Their bravery, strength, and love for this nation will forever live in our hearts.

May we never forget the price of freedom and the families who continue to carry their legacy forward. Wishing everyone a peaceful and meaningful Memorial Day.

Another piece of Oshkosh Truck history added to the rest of the memorabilia I have been blessed to preserve. Check out this canceled check made out to the Oshkosh Motor Truck Inc. 1943

O.J. Hardy was a central figure in the history of the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, serving for many years as its publisher and principal business leader in the early twentieth century. He began his career as a paper carrier and steadily advanced through the organization, ultimately becoming business manager and later publisher. Following the death of owner Col. John Hicks in 1917, Hardy assumed control as trustee and head of the newspaper, ensuring its continued operation and growth. Under his leadership, the paper achieved regional prominence and, by the 1920s, was recognized as a leading family newspaper.

In addition to his work in publishing, Hardy was deeply involved in banking and civic affairs. He was among the founders of the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation in 1928, reflecting his broader commitment to the community.

He also served as president of Oshkosh Truck from 1936 to 1944.

Given this background, it is reasonable to conclude that the $4,500 figure likely represented a stock purchase or capital investment. The next step will be to locate the corresponding stock certificates to confirm this connection.

God has truly blessed me over the years in my efforts to preserve the history of Oshkosh Truck, and I remain grateful for the opportunities that have come along the way. Recently, I was able to add another meaningful piece to the collection—a 1959 Oshkosh Refuse Hauler brochure.

I am curious if anyone else has come across one of these in the wild. Examples from this era do not appear frequently, and it would be valuable to learn how many may still exist.

Thank you to everyone who has offered support and shared knowledge over the years. It has made a lasting difference in this work.

My first memory of an Oshkosh truck dates back to 1978, when I was just six years old. In the mid-1990s, that early fascination was rekindled when Oshkosh acquired Pierce Manufacturing. From that point forward, I poured my heart into researching the company’s rich history and legacy.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of meeting many remarkable current and former employees who were willing to share their stories, memories, and knowledge with me. Those conversations have only deepened my appreciation for Oshkosh and the people who helped build its reputation.

Whenever the opportunity presented itself, I tried to acquire pieces of Oshkosh history. As any collector knows, not every item finds its way home—sometimes something slips through your fingers because it is beyond reach financially, and other times you are simply a day too late.

I recently acquired this emblem, and holding it served as a reminder of just how fortunate I have been throughout this journey. There is something about this particular emblem that truly resonates with me. It captures the boldness, strength, and pride represented by the Oshkosh name, and in many ways, it symbolizes the passion I have carried for this company for decades.

Oshkosh 18-34-AF Mixer 1962

I could use some help here. Everyone who follows this page knows for over two decades I have preserved the history of Oshkosh Trucks with a dream of one day opening a museum in Oshkosh. I am always looking to add to the history I have already collected. I would love to locate volume 2 of these manuals. Thank you in advance for your help

M-12

A friend of mine and supporter of this page needs some assistance locating a high resolution photo of one or both of the Oshkosh P-19 ARRF rigs that were used at the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel in Whittier, Alaska. I have attached a poor quality copy of one of the rigs. They were obtained second hand and outfitted with a hi-rail system to permit them to be used on the train tracks that go through the tunnel. His goal at this point is securing a decently posed high resolution image. If anyone knows the history or their origins and learning more about them would be a plus. They are no longer in-use at the tunnel and reported to be in Anchorage now