Light Tank, M3 • National Museum of the Pacific War

Current Condition

Still has the shell hole that knocked it out

Vehicle History

This tank was transported to Milne Bay, then transported by barge to Buna. One of the seven M3 Stuarts of the 2/6th Armoured Regiment which were supporting troops of the 2/9th Infantry Battalion at Cape Endaiadere. On 24th December 1942, commanded by Sgt. Jack Lattimore, this tank suffered a hit to the driver's flap from one of the Japanese 76.2mm Type 3 Naval Gun emplaced at Buna Airfield (Old Strip). It was recovered from the Buna battlefield in mid-1973, and was transported to Port Moresby by barge. Then was shipped to the Nimitz Museum (now re-named the National Museum of the Pacific War), where it is displayed to this day
From http://www.pacificwrecks.com