VFW Veterans' Memorial - Pettis County Courthouse - Sedalia, Mo. - Non-Specific Veteran Memorials on Waymarking.com

This is the fourth of four Veterans' Memorials on the grounds of the Pettis County Courthouse. The small grey granite marker reads:

Donated by VFW Post 2591
to Veterans of all Wars
November 11, 1995.

The 155mm Howitzer has a date of 1956 and a M1A2 carriage variant serial number of 5456. Information on the 155mm Howitzer from Wikipedia:
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"The M114 155 mm howitzer was a towed howitzer used by the United States Army. It was first produced in 1942 as a medium artillery piece under the designation of 155 mm Howitzer M1. It saw service with the US Army during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, before being replaced by the M198 howitzer. The gun was used by the armed forces of many nations, including Afghanistan, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bosnia, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Republic of China, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Ecuador, France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, South Vietnam, South Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Norway, Netherlands, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yugoslavia. One hundred sixteen surplus howitzers were sent to Bosnia in 1997. In some countries, the M114 still remains in service.

The carriage was also used by the 4.5 inch Gun M-1. It went through a number of minor changes over time. The original Warner electric brakes were replaced by Westinghouse air brakes on the M1A1. Both the M1 and M1A1 carriages used a mid-axle firing pedestal that was extended by a ratchet mechanism. The M1A2 replaced the ratchet with a screw-jack system and also modified the traveling lock. The M1A1E1 carriage was intended for use in jungle and muddy terrain and replaced the wheels of the M1A1 with a free-wheeling tracked suspension, but the project was terminated after V-J day without having reached production. The T-9 and T-10 carriages were projects using low-grade steel alloys that were canceled when no longer needed. The T-16 was a light-weight carriage using high-grade steel that was estimated to save some 1,200 lb (540 kg); work began in July 1945 and continued after the war, although nothing seems to have come from it."

There is also an 81mm Mortar as part of the Memorial. It has a serial number of 7228284. From Wikipedia on the M1 81mm Mortar:
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"The M1 mortar is an American 81 millimeter caliber mortar. It was used from World War II until the 1950s when it was replaced by the lighter and longer ranged M29 mortar. It was based on the French Brandt mortar."

Type of Memorial: Non-Specific Memorial In Honor Of: Veterans' of all wars Marker Text: Donated by VFW Post 2591 to Veterans of all Wars November 11, 1995. Date of dedication: 11/11/1995 Who Put it Here?: VFW Post 2591 Description of Memorial: This memorial has several unique features compared to the others on the Pettis County Courthouse Grounds. This is the only one that has actual military equipment as part of the Memorial. This, as well as the War Dog Memorial does not have a sculpture as part of the Memorial. Pettis County is home to Whiteman Air Force Base and is proud of the military men and women. Wars mentioned (Multi-war only): Not listed

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