Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Defender of Pusan
8 Inch Howitzer, M1
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 7, 2014
1. Defender of Pusan Marker
The 8 Inch Howitzer was a large-caliber field artillery piece, which provided long-range fire support to Army combat units during World War II (where it was first fielded in 1944), the Korean War, Vietnam, and Cold War. Based on the British 8 Inch Howitzer design, this heavy artillery piece was mounted on a M1 carriage that was created to handle its excessive weight. When attached to a Heavy Carriage Limber, M2, the entire assembly was pulled by a Cannon Transport Wagon, M1. Improved upon throughout its service life to include other large field pieces and self-propelled versions, the 8-inch Howitzer was eventually employed within NATO forces as a method of firing nuclear projectiles. It remained in U.S. Service into the 1990s.
“The 8 inch cannons were very impressive [and] accurate with good fire control. If fire control was good we could put the … shell in [the] opening of a bunker (target) six miles away!”
Sergeant First Class Edward F. Brufke, Headquarters Battery, 17th Field Artillery Battalion
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, Vietnam • War, World II.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. "Tigers in Support" (here, next to this marker); Private (PV2) Doug Wallace (a few steps from this marker); Corporal Eugene C. Rivera (a few steps from this marker); The M113 Family of Vehicles (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Defender of Pusan (within shouting distance of this marker); The "Duster" (within shouting distance of this marker); Personal Courage (within shouting distance of this marker); From Chu Lai to the Fulda Gap (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker.
Also see . . . M115 howitzer. Wikipedia entry; until 1962 it was designated the 8 inch Howitzer M1. (Submitted on April 14, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 7, 2014
2. 8 inch Howitzer M1 on display
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 209 times since then and 7 times this year. Last updated on July 13, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 26, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide view photo of the marker showing its location in context. • Can you help?
