155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer, M109 (C-22)
One display reads:
C-22, an M109, self-propelled 155mm howitzer, was built by Allison Division of General Motors in 1967. It entered the U.S. Army inventory on 6 Jan 1968 and was received at Letterkenny Army Depot 16 Feb 1968. C-22 was shipped to Vietnam 1 May 1968 and was issued to 6th FA BN, 1st INF DIV, on 22 June 1968.
On the night of 28 Oct 1968, at Fire Support Base Rita in the Fish Hook area in RVN, in a heavy barrage of recoilless rifle and rocket propelled grenade fire, C-22 was hit by an RPG round causing the damage which you see on the left side. Four days later C-22 was instrumental in repelling a heavy ground attack by a North Vietnamese sapper battalion supported by intense rocket and mortar barrages. It was during this action that LTC Charles C. Rogers, now Brigadier General, earned the Medal of Honor.
During this intense battle, the U.S. forces suffered 12 men killed and 54 wounded. The enemy body count inside and on the perimeter wire was 27. It was estimated that there were at least 200 bodies lying in the woods around the FSB.
C-22 served with the 6th FA BN until 13 Nov 1968 when it was retired and shipped to Tooele Army Depot, Utah. It was shipped to Fort Sill on 11 Jan 1972 and became the property of the Field Artillery Museum.
Dedicated October 1973.
The next display reads:
U.S. Army
155MM SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER, M109
The 155mm Howitzer, M109, is an armored tracklaying vehicle and a highly nobile combat support weapon. It is air transportable in support of airborne operations and has an amphibious capability when equipped with a flotation kit.
The M109 was adopted in 1964 and was extensively employed on the battlefields of Vietnam.
A hydraulic system provides power for traversing and elevating the cannon and for ramming the projectile. Manual operation is possible in the event of power failure. Two recoil spades located on the rear of the vehicle (one behind each track) are provided to improve stability of the cannon in the firing position.
Caliber: 155mm (6.102 inches)
Weight: 51,672 lbs.
Maximum Range: 14,600 meters
Maximum Rate of Fire: 4 rds per min.
Muzzle Velocity: 564 meters per second
Elevation: -3 degrees to +75 degrees
Traverse: 360 degrees
Engine: 405 HP Turbocharged 8 cyl
Maximum Speed: 35 MPH
Maximum Range: 220 miles
Fuel Capacity: 135 gal diesel fuel
Length: 260.3 inches
Width: 124.0 inches
Crew: 6
Taken June 22nd, 2013.
155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer, M109 (C-22)
One display reads:
C-22, an M109, self-propelled 155mm howitzer, was built by Allison Division of General Motors in 1967. It entered the U.S. Army inventory on 6 Jan 1968 and was received at Letterkenny Army Depot 16 Feb 1968. C-22 was shipped to Vietnam 1 May 1968 and was issued to 6th FA BN, 1st INF DIV, on 22 June 1968.
On the night of 28 Oct 1968, at Fire Support Base Rita in the Fish Hook area in RVN, in a heavy barrage of recoilless rifle and rocket propelled grenade fire, C-22 was hit by an RPG round causing the damage which you see on the left side. Four days later C-22 was instrumental in repelling a heavy ground attack by a North Vietnamese sapper battalion supported by intense rocket and mortar barrages. It was during this action that LTC Charles C. Rogers, now Brigadier General, earned the Medal of Honor.
During this intense battle, the U.S. forces suffered 12 men killed and 54 wounded. The enemy body count inside and on the perimeter wire was 27. It was estimated that there were at least 200 bodies lying in the woods around the FSB.
C-22 served with the 6th FA BN until 13 Nov 1968 when it was retired and shipped to Tooele Army Depot, Utah. It was shipped to Fort Sill on 11 Jan 1972 and became the property of the Field Artillery Museum.
Dedicated October 1973.
The next display reads:
U.S. Army
155MM SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER, M109
The 155mm Howitzer, M109, is an armored tracklaying vehicle and a highly nobile combat support weapon. It is air transportable in support of airborne operations and has an amphibious capability when equipped with a flotation kit.
The M109 was adopted in 1964 and was extensively employed on the battlefields of Vietnam.
A hydraulic system provides power for traversing and elevating the cannon and for ramming the projectile. Manual operation is possible in the event of power failure. Two recoil spades located on the rear of the vehicle (one behind each track) are provided to improve stability of the cannon in the firing position.
Caliber: 155mm (6.102 inches)
Weight: 51,672 lbs.
Maximum Range: 14,600 meters
Maximum Rate of Fire: 4 rds per min.
Muzzle Velocity: 564 meters per second
Elevation: -3 degrees to +75 degrees
Traverse: 360 degrees
Engine: 405 HP Turbocharged 8 cyl
Maximum Speed: 35 MPH
Maximum Range: 220 miles
Fuel Capacity: 135 gal diesel fuel
Length: 260.3 inches
Width: 124.0 inches
Crew: 6
Taken June 22nd, 2013.