White Sands in Doña Ana County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

MK 39 5-inch Gun

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

1. MK 39 5-inch Gun Marker

Inscription. Originally installed in the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt CVB-42 in 1945, this 5 inch gun, weighing over 73,000 pounds, was relocated to the LLS-1 Desert Ship at White Sands Missile Range in 1977. With this gun, the Navy at White Sands became an integral part of the testing that took place with Rocket Propelled Projectiles. To ensure that the gun was still operational, warmer rounds were last fired from its barrel back in 1996.

Erected by White Sands Missile Range Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 32° 23.172′ N, 106° 28.699′ W. Marker is in White Sands, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County. It is on Wsmr P Rt 1 (New Mexico Route 213) 4 miles south of U.S. 70. The marker and various missiles are located on the grounds of the White Sands Missile Range Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White Sands Missile Range NM 88002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Rio Grande Valley.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

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the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

the Gadsden Purchase,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pershing (here, next to this marker); US Navy Standard Missile 2 Block II (a few steps from this marker); MK 5 Guided Missile Launcher (a few steps from this marker); Athena (a few steps from this marker); HIBEX (a few steps from this marker); GAR-1 Falcon (within shouting distance of this marker); MGM-18 Lacrosse (within shouting distance of this marker); TOW Missile (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Sands.

More about this marker. The marker and museum are located on the White Sands Missile Range, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

Also see . . .
1. Welcome to the White Sands Missile Range Museum. White Sands Missile Range Museum (Submitted on July 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. 5-inch/54-caliber Mark 16 gun.

MK 39 5-inch Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

2. MK 39 5-inch Gun

Wikipedia

The 5"/54 caliber Mark 16 gun (spoken "five-inch-fifty-four-caliber") was a late World War II–era naval gun mount used by the United States Navy, and later, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. These guns, designed originally for the Montana-class battleships and then the abortive CL-154-class cruisers, were to be the replacement for the 5"/38 caliber secondary gun batteries then in widespread use with the US Navy.

(Submitted on July 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Inside view of the 5-inch Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

3. Inside view of the 5-inch Gun

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 582 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.