M60A3TTS BATTLE TANK

   Jay Wilson Post 112, American Legion located at 6671 Middle Ridge Road, Madison Village wanted a display for the front of the Post 112 Home. Contact was made with the

Department of Defense and eventually the proper agency, which handles decommissioned military hardware. After about a year of paperwork which involved verifying everything from our current ceremonial rifles to site plans, we finally had all items and paperwork required for such a transfer to take place. On February 14, 2002 the M60A1TTS was shipped form Camp Grayling, Michigan. The trip took four days due to the route supplied by the State Of Ohio Department of Transportation. This made sure this super load did not travel over any bridges which where not rated for such a load. Also, the transporting agency hired by Post 112 had mechanical problems, which delayed the delivery. The tank now rests in front of the Post 112 Home as a symbol of not only military might, but also freedom, and the price that has been paid. The public is welcome to visit; Post 112 had a public Dedication Ceremony on May 25, 2002 to dedicate the tank in honor of all who served, especially those who gave the supreme sacrifice.

   This M60A3TTS was used for combat training at Camp Grayling. The suffix TTS stand for Tank Thermal Sights. This model also had hybrid solid-state ballistic computer, laser rangefinder, and turret stabilization system. There were 15,000 M60A3 produced and they served 22 countries. This tank has provided proven battlefield performance over four decades. The first M60 was produced in 1960 and the M60A3 model was first produced in 1978 and was heavily deployed on Operation Desert Storm in 1991 during the Gulf War Crisis.

   With a crew of four, it could reach a maximum speed of 30 mph and cruise up to 312 miles. Besides its main 105 mm M68E1 rifled cannon (63 rounds stored), there was a 7.62 mm M240 machine gun (5,950 rounds),  .50 caliber commanders weapon M85 (900 rounds), and a smoke grenade launcher M239. It was powered by a 759-hp. Continental AVDS1970-2C air-cooled diesel engine fueled by 378 gallons of diesel. Fully loaded it weighed 57.3 tons.

   Post 112 members are proud to have saved this memorial for future generations to visit and remember. For further information on this tank, please call (440) 428-7893.

                                                                                    Service Officer, Post 112