Sandy Hook in Middletown Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Nike Ajax Explosion Memorial
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
1. Nike Ajax Explosion Memorial
Battery B. 526th Missile Battalion
Leonardo, New Jersey
In Memoriam
22 May 1958
Sgt. Daniel J. Lavengood Sgt. Jerome W. Mould SP3 Walter E. Berry SP3 William I. Cochran PFC Donald L. Marsh Pvt. Nicklos J. Composino
Ord. Corps Civilians
Joseph Arciere Joseph F. Brokos Lee A. Parker Charles Romanow
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, Cold.
Location. 40° 27.342′ N, 74° 0.237′ W. Memorial is in Middletown Township, New Jersey, in Monmouth County. It is in Sandy Hook. It is on Hartshorne Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is at the entrance to Fort Hancock in the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Highlands NJ 07732, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey, specifically on the Jersey Shore, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nike-Hercules (a few steps from this marker); Nike-Ajax (a few steps from this marker); Guardian Park Picnic Area (within shouting distance of this marker); The Guns of Sandy Hook (within shouting distance of this marker); Sandy Hook (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Discover Sandy Hook
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Project Nike. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 9, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Nike Missile Accidents. The Military Standard - Nike entry (Submitted on March 9, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark. Nation Park Service Gateway National Recreation Area website entry (Submitted on December 12, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional keywords. Nike Missile Site
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
2. Nike Ajax Explosion Marker
This monument honors those who lost their life in the May 22, 1958 explosion.
Photographed by Unknown, 1958
3. "Nike Explosion Jars North Jersey Coast Area"
"One-in-a-million accident occurs during missile modification. Curious motorists choke roads and hamper fire fighting operations"
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
4. Nike Missles
On display near the marker are two Nike missile models. The one on the right is a Hercules Type Missile, while on the left is an Ajax which was the type involved in the explosion.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 20, 2009
5. Fort Hancock
Marker is located in Fort Hancock, a National Historic Landmark on Sandy Hook. The marker can be seen behind the sign.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 6,773 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on September 22, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on March 9, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5. submitted on September 22, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
