Perhaps the best indicator of the low level of trauma and fear produced by Nike sites was the muted response to the worst Nike accident and first missile disaster in American history. In May 1958 an explosion at the Leonardo,(Middletown) New Jersey Nike base NY-53 killed six enlisted men and four civilian ordinance personnel employed by the Department of the Army. Two more men were injured So severe was the blast that four of the deceased personnel had to be buried in a common grave. One warhead was found three miles from the blast site and people fifteen miles away felt the explosion. In addition to eight missiles and associated launcher equipment destroyed, two military trucks and one civilian vehicle in the launcher area were also damaged beyond repair. An Army Board of Officers determined the most probable cause of the explosion was the rupture of a detonation cap during authorized missile modifications. A follow up inspection by ARADCOM at the end of August revealed many other accidents waiting to happen: improperly installed caps and damaged caps out of 5,971 nationwide. The accident could have been far worse. No one outside of the base was even wounded, much less killed. Shrapnel from the missiles that exploded in a three-mile radius did not ignite munitions at Earl Naval Ammunition Depot, on whose land part of NY-53’s integrated fire control site was located. The accident could have involved nuclear Hercules missiles, rather than Ajax missiles armed with conventional explosives.
Citation; In One Grave,”newspaper article, unknown newspaper, unknown date, in “May 22, 1958 Explosion of Nikes, Middletown,” vertical file, Fort Hancock Museum Archives, Sandy Hook, Gateway National Recreation Area. The "In One Grave" article refers to a mass burial for victims of the tragic May 22, 1958 explosion at Nike Battery NY-53 in Leonardo, New Jersey. Eight Nike Ajax missiles detonated during routine maintenance, killing six soldiers and four civilians. The burial service took place at Long Island National Cemetery.
NY-53 Leonardo, New Jersey Nike Missile Explosion
May 22, 1958
Guardian Park: On May 22, 1958 the accidental explosion of several Nike Ajax missiles at the Leonardo, NJ Nike Site (NY-53) claimed the lives of six Army and four civilian ordnance personnel. A stone memorial honoring the ten persons killed in this tragic accident is located at Guardian Park. A Nike Ajax missile and Nike Hercules missile (main stage) are also on exhibit here to honor all the veterans who served in the Nike Air Defense System at Fort Hancock. On September 19, 2012, and on September 27, 2013, dozens of Nike veterans who served during the Cold War reunited at Fort Hancock to remember their years of service and to honor the sacrifices of others with a ceremony at the Leonardo Nike Site Memorial and a private tour of NY-56. These events, attended by veterans from all across the United States, were sponsored by Nike groups from Alaska and New England, and were hosted by the Fort Hancock Nike Association. Special thanks to the National Park Service Rangers for all their help and cooperation in making these event so special. Guardian Park is located about 3/4 of-a-mile past the Nike IFC site and can be seen at anytime.
Although these scenes may be hard to view, The memories of those who were lost should be honored as part of the Cold War defense of our nation. Story of Guardian Park was told by The NY-56 Sandy Hook Nike Missile Museum / Ft. Hancock / NPS Gateway National Recreation Area,