M-5 "JEB Stuart" Tank

In 1921, veterans built and dedicated a park in Brunswick to honor World War I veterans, and a World War I howitzer cannon originally stood on its concrete pedestal. During the World War II scrap drive, Brunswick citizens were asked to donate the cannon, and the Defense Department promised that a tank would be provided after victory. On August 31, 1946, an M-5 "Jeb Stuart" tank was presented to the people of Brunswick. The M-5 Stuart was an American light reconnaissance tank used during World War II, and British forces gave it the name "Jeb Stuart" before America entered the war. Powered by a pair of Cadillac automobile engines, it was very reliable and very fast. It was armed with a 37mm cannon and three 30-06 Browning machine guns. Because of its light armor, the Stuart was used only for support and reconnaissance in the European Theater, but in the Pacific Theater it proved very successful because Japanese forces had few anti-tank weapons. The Marines used the Stuart because it was quick, light, and easily outfitted with a flame thrower. The tank weighed 14.7 tons, stood 7.5 feet high, measured 14.8 feet long and 8.1 feet wide, and had a crew of four soldiers: a commander, a gunner, and two drivers.

Brunswick, Maryland · United States