Dave Kersztyn is president of the Military Veterans Museum and Education Center in Oshkosh, Wis. He is also the proud owner of two restored 1963 Impala Super Sports (one with a 327 and one with a 409) as well as a ’67 Corvette that he says is “pretty much back to original now.” Kersztyn has an engineering degree and a background in internal combustion engines. “I was a car builder all my life until I got addicted to Army Green paint,” he says. “Now I got a little green paint on me and I can’t get it off.”
Dale Anderson welcomed us to the museum. Before turning us over to Kersztyn, he pointed out that it is a small collection with an emphasis on military vehicles. The fact that it houses the John E. Kuenzl Motor Pool makes it the largest military vehicle museum in Wisconsin. Some vehicles housed there include Willys and Kaiser Jeeps, a Willys ambulance, troop carriers, a Kaiser tanker, a half-track, a IH wrecker and a replica Vietnam War-era gun truck named “Brutus” that protected supply convoys. The collection also includes an authentic Soviet World War II tank that was used in the movie “Ant Man.”
Located close to the well-known Experimental Aircraft Assoc. (EAA) Museum, the Military Veterans Museum and Education Center is operated by dedicated volunteers, including mechanics who are responsible for the upkeep of the various military vehicles on display there. There are about 25 vehicles and pieces of equipment in the motorpool, ranging from a small M274A Willys 4x4 1/2-ton mechanical mule to an M54 5-ton truck. There is one example of each generation of military Jeeps, including a WWII Willys MB.
The original Brutus gun truck was used in the Vietnam War. It was built in 1969 and was used from January of the same year until May 1972. It had a 7.62mm gun at the rear, as well as two forward .50-caliber machine guns. The replica of the Brutus on display at the Military Veterans Museum’s motor pool was created by around 20 volunteers. The project was started by one of the original drivers of Brutus, a man named Roger Blink.
About 3,000 people per year visit the Museum. The majority are veterans or veterans’ families. Visitors recommend the guided tour because many facts and stories are included. In addition to military vehicles, on display in another part of the museum are uniforms and artifacts from the Arizona and Wisconsin battleships. There is also a small gift shop. “Friendly people, an interesting collection and well worth one to two hours of your time,” wrote one visitor who had stopped at the museum and obviously enjoyed it.
The Military Veterans Museum and Education Center is open to the public for free, but small donations are appreciated. Any and all donations help pay for the upkeep involved in museum operations. The regular Museum hours are Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The military vehicles and equipment are also available for parades, military events, ceremonies and re-enactments. Local events can request the vehicles for free. There may be a transportation fee for vehicles that need to travel some distance. For information about the museum call 920- 426-8615.
Kersztyn said the museum hosts many groups, from elementary and high school students to members of old car clubs. “We have people coming in for various reasons and events,” Kersztyn emphasized. “We would really love to host a Jeep club or a Jeep tour if such a group was open to something like that.”
