Brownwood in Brown County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

M44 155 SP Howitzer

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

1. M44 155 SP Howitzer Marker

Inscription. The M44 was an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer based on the M41 Walker Bulldog tank chassis, first introduced in the early 1950s. Flaws in its design prevented it from seeing action in the Korean War, but the type went on to serve in the U.S., West German, Italian and British Armies into the 1960s, and even longer in Turkish service. The M44 was to have an enclosed gun compartment, giving the five man crew some armor protection even when firing the cannon. The 155mm cannon was a version of the M114 designated the M45 Howitzer with a modified recoil system that was more compact and put all the cannon under armor. After 250 had already been produced by the Massey Harris company, it was discovered that firing the howitzer discharged poisonous fumes into the gun compartment, leading to the cancellation of the order. Engineers offered a revised design called the T194E1 with a modified howitzer and open crew compartment that successfully vented the fumes, though at the cost of crew protection. The already produced vehicles were upgraded to the new standard, and deployed to front line units in 1954, too late to see

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action in the Korean War, with the designation M44. The M44 fleet was later upgraded with AOS-895-6 engines, and thus designated the M44A1. The M44 served on until 1963, when it was replaced by the M109.[3]

Erected by City of Brownwood.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Korean. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.

Location. 31° 40.568′ N, 98° 59.539′ W. Marker is in Brownwood, Texas, in Brown County. It is at the intersection of Crockett Drive and Morris Sheppard Drive, on the right when traveling north on Crockett Drive. The marker is located at the southwest section of the Camp Bowie Memorial Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2710 Crockett Dr, Brownwood TX 76801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Big Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At

The view of the M44 155 SP Howitzer and Marker along the sidewalk in the park. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

2. The view of the M44 155 SP Howitzer and Marker along the sidewalk in the park.

least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M60 A3 (TTS) Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); 107 MM Gun M1910/30 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); LTC John S Palmer Jr (about 300 feet away); Marvin Lee "Lefty" Gardner (about 300 feet away); Roy Eldon "Buck" White (about 400 feet away); S.J. "Skipper" Howard Jr. (about 400 feet away); WW II Japanese Model 92 (1932) 105mm Gun (about 400 feet away); 1Lt Joe Henry (J.H.) Childs (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownwood.

Also see . . . M44 self-propelled howitzer. Wikipedia

The M44 was an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer based on the M41 Walker Bulldog tank chassis, first introduced in the early 1950s. Flaws in its design prevented it from seeing action in the Korean War, but the type went on to serve in the armies of the United States, West Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom into the late Cold War period, and even longer in Turkish service.

(Submitted on June 2, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

M44 155 SP Howitzer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, May 30, 2024

3. M44 155 SP Howitzer

Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 562 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3. submitted on June 2, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.