Franklin Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

M42A1 Dusters

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 17, 2024

1. M42A1 Dusters Marker

Inscription. 50th anniversary of D-Day and dedication ceremony of two M42A1 Dusters
June 6, 1994

Erected 1994 by Veterans Park District.

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

Location. 41° 55.34′ N, 87° 52.503′ W. Memorial is in Franklin Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on Fullerton Avenue west of Scott Street. The marker is beside the two Duster tanks in the southeast corner of Gouin Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 2000 Scott Street, Franklin Park IL 60131, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow

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flies: Gouin Park (a few steps from this marker); Leyden Township Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Gone Wild! (approx. 0.6 miles away); Connections! (approx. 0.6 miles away); Music Evolution! (approx. 0.6 miles away); Joe McMillan (approx. one mile away); B-12 Tower (approx. 1.1 miles away); Joe Thomas, Sr. Park (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin Park.

Regarding M42A1 Dusters. While dedicated at Gouin Park in honor of D-Day, the Duster was a post-WWII tank built between 1952 and 1960. The M42A1 was a variation of the original M42 with a new engine, among other upgrades. The Duster was in active use during the Vietnam War as a ground support tank. Troops gave it the "Duster" nickname because it turned enemies into dust.

Also see . . . Duster: M42 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun. From the Army Historical Society, a look at the history of the Duster tank

Excerpt: "From 1953 until the end of the Korean War the M42 served in the anti-aircraft battalions of the armored divisions. In 1956 a second model, the M42A1, was developed. The A1 model had a new AOSI-895-5 engine
Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 17, 2024

2. M42A1 Dusters Marker
The marker is in front of the southwesterly of the two tanks at Gouin Park.
with a fuel injection system, the same used on the upgraded Walker Bulldog light tank variants, the M41A2 and M41A3. The improved engine system increased the M42’s cruising range to around 120 miles (190 km)."

(Submitted on July 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

M42A1 Duster image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, July 17, 2024

3. M42A1 Duster

The two Dusters sit in front of the Gouin Park community house.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 17, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.