The U.S. Army’s World War II amphibious truck nicknamed “Duck” was the DUKW.
The DUKW was a watertight version of a GMC 2½-ton truck, designed to move troops, ammunition, and supplies directly from ships to beaches and then continue inland. Its six-wheel drive and marine propeller let it function as both a conventional truck and a small cargo vessel.
The designation was a military vehicle code rather than a spelling of the animal’s name. D referred to the 1942 model year, U identified an amphibious vehicle, K indicated front-wheel drive, and W referred to two rear driving axles. Soldiers soon embraced “Duck” because the machine floated and the name was easy to say.
DUKWs served in every major theater of World War II, including the Normandy landings. They also saw extensive use during the Korean War. A Higgins boat was a landing craft, while a GMC CCKW was the truck design from which the amphibious DUKW was developed.