A Sheridan Memoir: The Early Days

More than 300 Sheridans were destroyed or damaged in Vietnam, mostly by mines and rocket-propelled grenades. MODs were created with fiberglass molded overlays.

The Research & Development people also tried putting different gun and missile systems on the Sheridans over the years, and the M551 chassis was also used in many experimental field tests of other developmental items. Everyone seems to have had ideas on what to do with the M551’s great chassis.

Most of us probably have no idea of all the places the Sheridan has traveled with the 73rd Tank Battalion. We do know it went to Panama, Haiti, Desert Shield, and Desert Storm.

Eventually the Sheridan will go away. Many more may become homes for marine life, but that is not all bad either. Then we can really say, “Good-bye, Sheridan.” Author’s Note: For those who are interested in much greater detail on the development of the Sheridan, R. J. Hunnicutt includes a very thorough and comprehensive account in his book, Sheridan, A History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 2. Lieutenant Colonel Burton S. Boudinot, a veteran of Vietnam and Korea and a former chief of testing at the Armor-Engineer Board, also served as the 31st editor of ARMOR. He is retired and living in Radcliff, Kentucky.

One experimental attempt to extend the Sheridan’s life was this 105-mm low-recoil turret developed by Cadillac Gage. At right, a C-130 delivers a Sheridan using low-altitude parachute extraction. The vehicle’s airmobility, and the need for a rapidly-deployable fire support vehicle for airborne troops, kept the Sheridan in Army service for a remarkably long time.

Above, a very early prototype Sheridan launches a Shillelagh missile in tests during the 1960s. The Sheridan shared the Shillelagh missile system with the M60A3 MBT, but when it was sent to Vietnam, no need was seen for the missile.

ARMOR — 15