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

M102 105mm Howitzer

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

1. M102 105mm Howitzer Marker

Inscription. The M102 105mm howitzer is used in air mobile (helicopter) and light infantry operations. The weapon carriage is lightweight welded aluminum, mounted on a variable recoil mechanism. The M102 functions as a lightweight towed weapon that provides direct support fires to light, airborne and air assault forces. It is nearly three-quarters of a ton lighter than the World War II-era M101A1 105mm towed howitzer that it replaced. When emplaced, the M102's high volume of fire compensates in large measure for the lower explosive weight of the projectile compared to the 155mm howitzers. The M102 is still found in several Army National Guard units and the Air Force uses the same cannon and recoil system in the AC130 gunship. Since 1964, the US Army had acquired 1,150 M-102 towed howitzers.

Vehicle Specifications
Armament: 105 mm howitzer
Maximum rate of fire: 10 rounds per minute
Crew: 8
Weight: 3,298 lbs
Length: 20 ft (travel)
Width 6.42 ft (travel)
Elevation: -5 to +75
Traverse: 360°
Maximum effective firing range: 7.1 miles
Year entering service: 1964

Erected by Mississippi Armed Forces Museum Camp Shelby. (Marker Number 22.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. A significant historical year for this entry is 1964.

Location. 31° 11.821′ N, 89° 13.458′ W. Marker is in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in Forrest County. It is at the intersection of Forrest Ave W and Museum Street 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

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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: M56 Scorpion Self-Propelled Gun (here, next to this marker); M578 Armored Recovery Vehicle (a few steps from this marker); M59 Armored Personnel Carrier (a few steps from this marker); M42 Duster Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (a few steps from this marker); M48 Patton Medium Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M103A2 Heavy Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M47 Patton Medium Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle (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.

M102 105mm Howitzer and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

2. M102 105mm Howitzer and Marker

M102 105mm Howitzer image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, January 3, 2026

3. M102 105mm Howitzer

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 63 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 9, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.