He was an inventor who didn’t bother patenting his inventions, and that includes mud flaps. He created the first rough version, then somebody else improved upon them and got the patent.
He was in the military during WWII. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged from both branches. He also worked at Tinker Air Force Base. He spent 40 years as a motor pool driver and clocked over 2 million miles, without a ticket or an accident, until he retired in April 1983.
His retirement was well marked by the community as he was honored with numerous awards; he received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the second highest civilian award given by the U.S. government; the Oklahoma Meritorious Service Medal; Oklahoma City’s Ambassador-at-Large award; and the distinguished alumni award from Langston University where he attended for two years prior to enlisting in the military.
He received a total of 87 awards of significant achievements and commendation. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason.
He invented mud flaps while working at Tinker Air Force Base. In an article written by Ellie Posey and published April 5, 1983, the interviewer wrote, “He made the flaps because the main drive wheels of big rigs kicked up rocks, mud, water and debris that damaged the delicate cargo. Much of the radar equipment he and other drivers delivered was sensitive to moisture and rock damage was common.
“To solve the problem, March designed tarps to trap the water and rocks. His mud flap was modified and soon every tractor rig operating at Tinker was equipped with them. Not only did his invention prevent damage to the cargo, but it prevented damage or injury to following vehicles and their occupants. The law now requires the use of mud flaps on big rigs.”
http://www.singingwheels.com/who-invented-the-mudflap.html
