Luray in Page County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Duster

M42A1

Photographed by Conrad Ward, February 5, 2025

1. The Duster Marker

Inscription.
One of the most successful light tanks used by the US Army. Originally built after WW II, the Duster was used in Korea and Vietnam and on bases abroad. Its twin 40 mm Cannon could rotate and elevate rapidly to bring down driven aircraft. In Vietnam the Duster was used to mow down trees harboring Viet Cong. The Duster became obsolete with the passing of propeller powered planes.

Weight 49,000 pounds
Speed 45 mph
Fuel 140 gal
Range 100 miles

Erected by VFW Comer-Jones Post 621.

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

Location. 38° 40.569′ N, 78° 24.627′ W. Marker is in Luray, Virginia, in Page County. It is on Veterans Lane 0.2 miles north of Lee Highway (U.S. 211), on the right when traveling east. Located in front of VFW Comer-Jones Post 621. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 218 Veterans Lane, Luray VA 22835, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

It is also in the American South

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and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Comer-Jones Post 621 Military Square (here, next to this marker); Tribute Bench (approx. 0.3 miles away); Pass Run and Thornton Gap (approx. 1½ miles away); Confederate Heroes Monument (approx. 2.2 miles away); Shenandoah National Park (approx. 2.3 miles away); The Chapman-Ruffner House (approx. 2.4 miles away); Cavalry Engagement (approx. 2.6 miles away); Fisher’s Hill and Yager’s Mill (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Luray.

Also see . . . M42 Duster (Wikipedia). (Submitted on August 24, 2025.)

Photographed by Conrad Ward, February 5, 2025

2. The Duster Marker

Front of "the Duster" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Conrad Ward, February 5, 2025

3. Front of "the Duster"

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 70 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.