Camp Shelby in Forrest County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

M2 (M101) Howitzer

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

1. M2 (M101) Howitzer Marker

Inscription. This cannon was the most widely used and produced howitzer in the western hemisphere. More than 60 other nations use or have used the M2A1 (M101). Upon entering service just in time for the Second World War, it became the primary field piece for all US Army maneuver divisions and stayed in service throughout the entire Vietnam War. The M2A1 was also modified to fit on the M7 Priest self-propelled gun. A shaped charge HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) round was also available to M2 gun crews.

Vehicle Specifications
Armament: 1 x 105 mm.
Maximum rate of fire: 4 rounds per minute
Projectile weight: 33 lbs
Minimum time to emplace: 3 min
Crew: 8
Weight: 4980 lbs
Maximum effective weapons range: 12,200 yards
Production: Unknown, probably more than 10,000
Year entering service: 1940

Erected by Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Camp Shelby. (Marker Number 37.)

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

Location. 31° 11.877′ N, 89° 13.446′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

County. It is at the intersection of Forrest Ave W and Museum Street, on the left when traveling north on Forrest Ave W. The marker is located on the grounds of the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 850 Forrest Ave W, Hattiesburg MS 39401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mississippi’s Pine Belt.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M1 Anti-Tank Gun (here, next to this marker); M1918A3 (Modernized) Schneider (a few steps from this marker); M1917 GPF (M3) (a few steps from this marker); BMP1 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (within shouting distance of this marker);

M2 (M101) Howitzer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

2. M2 (M101) Howitzer

M114 (M1) 155 mm Towed Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); Engineers Arsenal (within shouting distance of this marker); ZSU 23-4 Shilka Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); MTLB Armored Personnel Carrier (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Shelby.

More about this marker. The marker and the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum are located at the historic Camp Shelby, an active Mississippi National Guard military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

M2 (M101) Howitzer and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

3. M2 (M101) Howitzer and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 5, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.