Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

360 Degrees of Fire

M102 105mm Towed Light Artillery

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

1. 360 Degrees of Fire Marker

Inscription. The M102 howitzer was introduced in 1964 to replace the older M101A1 howitzer. Utilizing a lightweight aluminum carriage, the M102 could be easily airlifted by helicopter, dropped with airborne units, or pulled by a vehicle. The wishbone shaped carriage provided stability, ease of traversing during major directional changes and the ability to elevate the cannon tube higher than with earlier split-trail carriages. With the carriage attached to a firing platform, the roller assembly (located at the rear of the trail, allowed for simple fine traversing during normal aiming procedures. Ideally suited for firebases because of its ability to fire 360 degrees (6400-mils) quickly and effectively, the M102 could respond to fire missions anywhere within its area of operation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam.

Location. 40° 12.317′ N, 77° 9.459′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. It is on Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 211 Army Heritage Trail, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: One-Oh-Five (a few steps from this marker); Time On Target (a few steps from this marker); The Ia Drang Battlefield (a few

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steps from this marker); Final Act – LZ Albany (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Joseph D. Newsome (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel Vincent J. Tedesco, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam Fire Support Base (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of the Ia Drang Valley (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.

Other markers no longer nearby. Guard Tower (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Final Act – LZ Albany (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); COL Joseph D. Newsome (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Ia Drang Battlefield (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Part of the Vietnam Fire Support Base exhibit. Located at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center

M102 105mm Towed Light Artillery on display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012

2. M102 105mm Towed Light Artillery on display

(Open to Public).

Also see . . . M102 howitzer. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 14, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 357 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.