Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

M816 Wrecker, Truck, 5 Ton, 6×6

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021

1. M816 Wrecker, Truck, 5 Ton, 6×6 Marker

Inscription.
The M816 Medium Wrecker was from the M809 family of 5 ton trucks. Built by AM General starting in 1970, they were a marked improvement over the older family of 5 ton trucks in use since the 1950s. It was powered by a Cummins NHC 250 diesel engine. Specially built for the army, this truck was equipped with a hydraulic crane that could be extended 10 to 18 feet and elevated up to 45 degrees. It had a lifting capacity of 20,000 pounds and a pulling capacity of 45,000 pounds.

The two main purposes of this truck were to pick up disabled main vehicles and to free mired vehicles. To help with these tasks, the M816 had two winches. The front winch was used primarily as a self-recovery tool, in case the truck became bogged down. The rear winch was responsible for heavy recovery work. The crane was also capable of replacing engines, power packs, gun tubes, and loading/unloading munitions. The M816s were phased out in favor of the M984 HEMMT Wrecker. This vehicle last served in Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, 2nd Iraq • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.

Location. 37° 9.913′ N, 76° 34.518′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker

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can be reached from Washington Boulevard, 0.2 miles south of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. M41, Truck, Cargo, 5 Ton, 6×6 (here, next to this marker); XM1078, Truck, Cargo, 2½ Ton, 4×4 (a few steps from this marker); M151A1, Truck, Utility, ¼ Ton (MUTT) (a few steps from this marker); M38A1, Truck, Utility, ¼ Ton, 4×4 (a few steps from this marker); M151A2 Truck, Utility ¼ Ton 4×4 (MUTT) (a few steps from this marker); XM1109, Heavy Variant, Up-Armored, 4×4 (HMMWV) (a few steps from this marker); M1097, Heavy Variant, 4×4 (HMMWV) (a few steps from this marker); M35A2, Truck, Cargo, 2½ Ton, 6×6 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 462 times since then and 106 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 1, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

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