Bellwood in Chesterfield County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
M101A1 105 mm Light Howitzer
circa November 2025
1. M101A1 105 mm Light Howitzer Marker
Length: 19.5 ft (5.94 m)
Width: 7.25 ft (2.21 m)
Height: 5.66 ft (1.73 m)
Weight: 4,980 lb (2,260 kg)
Bore diameter: 105 mm
Maximum effective range: 6.99 mi (11.27 km)
Rate of fire (Maximum): 10 rounds per minute
Rate of fire (Sustained): 3 rounds per minute
The M101A1 105 mm Light Howitzer is a general purpose, vehicle-towed, light field artillery weapon used for direct or indirect fire. The basic design of this artillery piece pre-dates the United States' involvement in WW II. The M101A1 Howitzer continued in frontline use throughout the Vietnam War and later operations. It began to be gradually replaced, but was not completely phased out of field use until the 1980s.
This 105 mm howitzer is dedicated to the memory of all the Virginia National Guardsmen who served in the 29th Infantry Division in WWII. It has been painted to commemorate the bravery of the officers and men assigned to the 11th Field Artillery Battalion, June 6, 1944 at Omaha Beach. The artillerymen struggled through high seas and heavy enemy fire with their cannons mounted on the back of amphibious vehicles. Ultimately, the battalion lost
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1944.
Location. 37° 25.951′ N, 77° 27.128′ W. Marker is in Bellwood, Virginia, in Chesterfield County. It is on C Road 0.1 miles south of North 5th Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on post at Defense Supply Center Richmond and is not accessible to civilians without sponsored access or authorized escort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 N 5th St, Richmond VA 23237, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Piedmont, in Central Virginia, and in the Richmond
circa November 2025
2. M101A1 105 mm Light Howitzer
This is the memorial gun described in the marker. There is a similar display behind the building by the loading dock of another 105mm howitzer with 29th Inf. Div. markings. The subject marker for this front lawn gun is in the background of this photo, at far right of the semi-circle of markers set behind the tail of the jet.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Virginia National Guard State Headquarters Building and Site (here, next to this marker); F-84F Thunderstreak (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Virginia National Guard State Headquarters Building and Site (here, next to this marker); M41 Walker Bulldog (here, next to this marker); Elevator Motor (a few steps from this marker); 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M7B2 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A-10 Thunderbolt II (approx. 0.4 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bellwood.
circa November 2025
3. M101A1 105 mm Light Howitzer
Behind the field gun is an elevator motor from 1 World Trade Center, Manhattan, damaged during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2025. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 26, 2025. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
