Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Marker

Inscription. The M37 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage (HMC) arrived too late for service in World War II, but the M37 did see considerable combat in the Korean War in the early 1950s. The M37 replaced the heavier and slower M7 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, known as the Priest. The M37 used the chassis of the M24 Chaffee Light Tank, but with a new, open-top superstructure. This also provided an increased working space for the crew and ammunition storage for up to 126 rounds. It retains the pulpit of the M7 Priest with the .50 caliber machine gun mount. The M37 mounted the same weapon as was fitted to 105mm howitzer-armed M4 Sherman tanks. The main gun had a range of almost seven miles and could be traversed across a 52-degree arc. The original contract with General Motors Cadillac Division and American Car and Foundry was for a total of 448 M37s, but, production stopped after the end of WWII and only a total of 316 were built. The vehicle had a crew of seven personnel that included the chief of section, driver, gunners and cannoneers.

Caliber - 4.1 in. - 105 mm
Weight - 50,706 lbs. - 23,000 kg
Range - 12,205 yds. - 11,160 m
Shell Weight - 33 lbs. - 14.9 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 1,549 ft/sec. - 472 m/sec.
Elevation - (-10.5 to + 43 degrees) - (-188 to + 780 mils)
Traverse - 53 degrees - 942 mil
Rate of Fire -

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2 to 4 rpm - Crew 7
Maximum Speed - 35 mph - 56 kph
Cruising Range - 100 miles - 161 km
Engine - Twin Cadillac Series 44 V8 gasoline engines, 220 hp each and a Twin Hydramatic Transmission
CCN#105454

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 400.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, World II.

Location. 34° 40.003′ N, 98° 23.143′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. It is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road. The marker is located in the central section of Artillery Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Kiowa Tribe,

in the Comanche Nation,

and in Southwest Oklahoma.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Soviet M1931/37 122mm Field Gun (here, next to this marker); U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile (a few steps from this marker); Japanese Type 41 75mm Regimental Gun (a few steps from this marker); U.S. M4 Lacrosse Missile (a few steps from this marker); U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher (a few steps from this marker); British 5.5-Inch Mark IV Field Gun

The side view of the U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The side view of the U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

(within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. MGR-1 Honest John Rocket (within shouting distance of this marker); Japanese Type 90 75mm Field Gun (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sill.

More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access for Fort Sill.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Artillery Museum. (Submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The front view of the U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. The front view of the U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 643 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.