The German half-track first arrived at Fort Knox in September of 1946, part of a group of vehicles selected from a collection yard in southern Germany by order of General G. S. Patton Jr. In early 1947 a number of the vehicles were photographed for record - and the first view of the half-track was in the background of a photograph taken of the Munitionschlepper 38(t).

The original camouflage is visible in the photograph, but most of the unit markings are indistinct. The documents accompanying the vehicles were not kept and so the unit to which the vehicle belonged was not known or recorded at the time.

In 1989 the vehicle was inspected prior to the tear down by Museum Restoration Staff and a number of photographs (mostly in black and white) were taken. Paint samples and the judicious use of fine sand paper eventually revealed the original unit markings that had been hidden under at least two layers of paint applied at Fort Knox.

It can now be confirmed that the vehicle was surrendered to American forces by members of the 4th Company (Heavy Weapons), 20th Panzeraufklarungs Abteilung, 20th Panzer Division in late April or early May 1945. The vehicle number was 417 and it was one of two Sd Kfz 251/9 Ausf D half-tracks sent to Fort Knox (the other being number 414). The other vehicle was scrapped in the early 1960s and sent to the range.

The 20th Panzer Division never fought against the American army, but was reported wiped out by the Soviet Army near Prague in April/May 1945. This vehicle, and its partner, apparently traveled the 100 miles separating the Soviet and American armies and surrendered to elements of the US Third Army near Pilsen.

The vehicle itself was built in the late summer of 1944, (the engine had a date of August 1944) but since the original data plate is missing we do not know which company constructed it. Markings on the front armor confirm a build date in 1944 with the markings "kyw 1944 / nr 3164" (this is the code for Aktiengesellschaft Ferrum Kattowitz, Werk Laurahutte). Additional armor plates are marked with an "aj" in a circle, possibly standing for Soerensen & Kloester, Aluminum-und-Metallwerke, Neumunster-im-Holstein (Brachnefeld.)

Volunteer work on the vehicle began approximately four years ago and continues whenever possible. The engine is being put back together. Restoration on the body is largely complete; fabrication and refurbishing of parts continues to outfit the vehicle as accurately as possible.