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

U.S. M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. U.S. M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Marker

Inscription. The M109 served in the Vietnam War with both the U.S Army and U.S. Marine Corps units. Armed with a powerful 155mm howitzer, the M109 was a highly mobile combat support weapon. After the development, a request was established for a 155mm howitzer with greater range and more traverse than the current M44 155mm Howitzer. The first M109s were issued to the US Army in June 1963. The M109 was produced using the same welded aluminum hull and turret as the M108 105mm Howitzer. The M109 was the first model of the M109-series. It had a short tube and a double baffle muzzle brake for reducing recoil. The large fume extractor ventilated the bore to keep propellant gasses from asphyxiating the crew. The six-man crew of the M109 fired a variety of 98-pound projectiles to include high explosive, illumination, smoke and rocket assisted projectiles. It carried 22 rounds of separate-loading ammunition. The 2-35th Field Artillery was the first M109 unit to arrive in Vietnam in June 1966. By the summer of 1968, there were M108s and M109s in service in Vietnam. The M109, with its 360 degree traverse and powerful howitzer, proved invaluable

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in the firebases of Vietnam.

Caliber - 6.1 in. - 155 mm
Weight - 54,239 lbs. - 23,786 kg
Range Standard - 15,996 yds. - 14,600 m
Extended - 19,794 yds. - 18,100 m
Shell Weight - 98 lbs. - 44 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 866 ft/sec. - 364 m/sec
Elevation (-3 to 75 degrees) - (-53 to + 1,333 mils)
Traverse - 360 degrees - 6400 mils
Rate of Fire - 4 rpm - Crew 6
Maximum Speed - 35 mph - 56 kph
Cruising Range - 220 miles - 354 km
Engine - Detroit Diesel Model 8V-71T engine, 420 hp and an Allison cross-drive transmission
CCN# 97727

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 510.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1963.

Location. 34° 40.022′ N, 98° 23.18′ 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,

The U.S. M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Marker is the right marker of the two markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The U.S. M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer Marker is the right marker of the two markers

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: "C-22" (here, next to this marker); Dedicated to the Memory of SGM Ira Edward Whittaker (here, next to this marker); "Killed in Action at FSB Rita, November 1, 1968" (here, next to this marker); 155mm Self Propelled Howitzer, M109 (here, next to this marker); Soviet D-44 85mm Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); Soviet D-20 152mm Field Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M56 90mm Self-Propelled Gun Scorpion (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in

The U.S. M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. The U.S. M109 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer and Marker

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 February 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,245 times since then and 217 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.