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

U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher Marker

Inscription. Introduced in 1953, the M21 was the Army's first new multiple rocket launcher since the end of World War II. It was also the last multiple rocket launcher in the Army until the introduction of the Multiple Rocket Launcher System (MLRS) in 1983. Originally designated as the T-123, this new 4.5-inch Multiple Rocket Launcher had 25 tubes, which were muzzle-loaded and electronically fired in a preset sequence. The rate of fire is limited only by the operators' speed in working the firing mechanism. The launcher was sighted by an elbow telescope for direct and indirect fire. The rocket launcher is used to launch smoke or high-explosive projectiles against ground targets. The launcher was used for area targets where the dispersion of rockets was desirable. The range was dependent on the type of rocket used and the maximum elevation allowed for that particular type of rocket. In normal use, one to three salvos would be fired and then the launcher would be transported to a new site. The launcher was normally towed by a jeep with a 2 ½ ton truck carrying the ammunition. The M21 was last fired by the Marine Corps at Fort Sill in

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1979 to test new radar equipment.

Caliber - 4.5 in. - 113 mm
Weight - 3,366 lbs. - 1,530 kg
Range - 5,000 yds. - 4,572 m
Shell Weight - 38 lbs. - 17.2 kg
Elevation - (0 to + 75 degrees) - (0 to +1,333 mils)
Traverse - 7 degrees - 121 mils
Rate of Fire - 25 rockets in 2.5 seconds
CCN# 112550

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 381.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Korean. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 34° 40.014′ N, 98° 23.138′ 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

The front view of the U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The front view of the U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher and Marker

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: British 5.5-Inch Mark IV Field Gun (here, next to this marker); U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile (a few steps from this marker); U.S. MGR-1 Honest John Rocket (a few steps from this marker); U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); Soviet M1931/37 122mm Field Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M1 8-Inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M4 Lacrosse Missile (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

The side view of the U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher with the British Five by Five behind it image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. The side view of the U.S. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher with the British Five by Five behind it

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

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on September 22, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.