Harley-Davidson During World War II

A brief look at how the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, employees and riders contributed to the war effort.

Soldier in training with WLA motorcycle and machine gun (1943) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

World War II broke out in Europe in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. In March 1941, the US Congress passed the Lend-Lease Act, allowing American manufacturers to provide materiel and equipment to countries already in combat, such as the Soviet Union, England, Australia.

LIFE Photo Collection

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, the United States declared war on the Axis nations. 

Harley-Davidson® WLA military motorcycle (1942) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

The workhorse of the war was the WLA. The civilian WL model was on the market since 1937; adaptations were made for the military and ‘A’ for Army was added. Unique to the WLA were a blackout kit for the lights, oil bath air filtration, and bracket for a machine gun scabbard.

Soldiers training on WLA motorcycles (1943) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

Of the many thousands who were entering the service in the U.S., some were already active riders from their civilian lives. Other servicepeople learned to ride in the Armed Forces. 

Quartermaster school class for military mechanics (1941) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

Harley-Davidson’s Service School, which had been training dealership mechanics, was rebranded as the Quartermaster School and transitioned to keeping military mechanics up to date on maintenance and repairs. Training was provided at military bases and the factory in Milwaukee.

Enthusiast page, April, 1943 (1943) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

During the war, the Motor Company’s The Enthusiast® magazine offered a connection between those in the service and at home.

Private Armando Magri (1943) by Ken Magri photoHarley-Davidson Museum

Many active-duty riders were featured. Among them were Private Armando Magri. A racer and mechanic prior to the war, Magri organized the Fort Knox Endurance Run. The race starter was Lt. John Harley, son of Company founder William S. Harley. 

Nelle Jo Gill, aircraft mechanic (1944) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

The Enthusiast® magazine also shared riding stories to help boost morale. Nelle Jo Gill, a rider from Columbus, Ohio, wrote about motorcycling to L.A. for a bowling tournament. She eventually enlisted and served a year in Europe as an aircraft mechanic and electrician.  

Letter from H-D employee Ralph Foth (1944) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

Hundreds of servicepeople wrote letters to The Enthusiast and friends. After multiple deployments, they were still reading the magazine and reporting back on the reliability of the WLA, sending well wishes to their motorcycle clubs, and dreaming of riding at home once again.

World War II paper drive (1943) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

For motorcycle club riders at home, chapter updates in The Enthusiast® magazine served as a way to stay in touch with deployed riders. Many volunteered for Civilian Defense riding, lending their skills to dispatch, courier and escort duty. 

Harley-Davidson earns Army/Navy E Award (1943) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

Harley-Davidson was also a three-time winner of the Army/Navy E Award given by the US Government for excellence in wartime production, minimal downtime and high labor and safety standards. Only 5% of the US companies that contributed to the war effort would earn the award.

Mount Tamalpais Motorcycle Club (1947) by Ken Magri photoHarley-Davidson Museum

When the war ended in 1945, servicemen and women returned home to families and friends. Like so many other activities, motorcycling entered a new boom period of club riding, races and meets. 

Campaigning a WLA model in the Jack Pine Enduro (1949) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

Some military motorcycles lived on as refurbished, inexpensive vehicles for sale. Dealers who had seen lean sales during the war recovered faster as a result. Shown here is a former military motorcycle being campaigned in the grueling Jack Pine Enduro.

Harley-Davidson Museum World War II gallery (2024) by Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyHarley-Davidson Museum

When visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, make sure to stop at the gallery dedicated to World War II.

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The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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