The M53's 155SP were the "Patriarch's" of Marine Corps "long range" artillery; what followed these gallant old warriors were the 175mm Guns. The M53 has been overlooked through time; the gallant service provided by the crews and the M53's should never be forgotten, they were the first Marine Corps...
"Long Shooters"
After our "Last Supper" (unit picnic), jungle training (staging), the 155 range, rifle range (qualifying) a "Mongoose - Cobra" fight to the death, we shipped out. Our destination? "The Republic of Vietnam." In the process, we became "Op-Conned" to the 3rd Marine Division, The purpose in "Operation Starlite" the first major campaign against insurgent Viet Cong forces. The year was 1965...
Coming ashore, establishing our firing positions & perimeter at Chu Lai South Vietnam...
The above photos were provided by the late Lieutenant Colonel Dick Moore, CO of 3rd Guns in 1965; he brought the battery to Vietnam...
Questions???
Battery Contact - Ed Kirby
3rd Gun Marines
Please sign your guest book...
