Green Cove Springs in Clay County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Gama Goat

Military Museum of North Florida

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 5, 2021

1. The Gama Goat Marker

Inscription.
Was a six-wheel drive semi-amphibious off-road vehicle originally developed for use by the US Military in the Vietnam War. The Goat used an articulated chassis, so that from distance it appears to be a four-wheel trailer, but it is a single six-wheel vehicle with a four-wheel steering arrangement with the front and rear wheels turning in opposite directions. It was famous for its ability to travel over exceptionally rough and muddy terrain.

The vehicle’s nickname came from two sources: "Gama" from the name of the inventor of its powered articulated joint, Roger Gamaunt, and "Goat" for its mountain goat-like off-road ability. Its military designation was M561, 6X6 tactical 1¼-ton truck. There was also an ambulance version known as the M792. The vehicle was replaced by a variety of commercial utility cargo vehicles (CUCV) and Humvees (HMMWV).

Erected by Military Museum of North Florida.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, Vietnam • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 29° 58.785′ N, 81° 39.2′ W. Marker is

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in Green Cove Springs, Florida, in Clay County. It is on Bunker Avenue just south of Leonard C Taylor Pkwy (Florida Route 16), on the right when traveling south. The marker is located on the grounds of the Military Museum of North Florida. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Bunker Ave, Green Cove Springs FL 32043, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The M-170 Truck, Ambulance (here, next to this marker); M151 Series Military Utility Tactical Truck (here, next to this marker); “The Willys” (here, next to this marker); Pratt Whitney R-2800 Twin Wasp Engine (here,

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 5, 2021

2. The Gama Goat Marker

next to this marker); 5”38 Caliber Single Mount Dual Purpose Gun (a few steps from this marker); LARC-LX (within shouting distance of this marker); Benjamin Lee II Field (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans War Memorial (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Green Cove Springs.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Fort San Fransisco de Pupo (was approx. 1½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. The Gama Goat. Military Wiki website entry (Submitted on September 8, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

2. The Military Museum of North Florida. Museum website homepage (Submitted on September 8, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

via Fotocommunity, unknown

3. Gama Goat

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 746 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. 3. submitted on September 20, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.