Damascus in Van Buren County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 Explosion

Photographed by Ashley Sides, September 18, 2026

1. Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 Explosion Marker, Side One

Inscription. Near this site on September 18-19, 1980, an accidental explosion destroyed Missile Complex 374-7, which housed an Air Force Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). At 103 feet tall and with a 9-megaton nuclear warhead, the Titan II was the largest ICBM in the U.S. arsenal; scores of these missiles around the country served as a strategic deterrent in the Cold War. On September 18, during routine maintenance, a dropped tool pierced the skin of the missile, releasing highly combustible fumes from the liquid-fueled rocket into its silo. The crew immediately evacuated. On the morning of September 19, Senior Airman David Livingston and Sergeant Jeff Kennedy volunteered to reenter the site to vent the toxic fumes. When the team activated an exhaust fan, an electric spark ignited the fuel and triggered an explosion. The blast jettisoned the 740-ton silo cover, ejecting portions of the missile, which then exploded. The warhead was thrown more than 100 feet from the silo but, due to integrated safety features, did not detonate. Senior Airman Livingston died from his injuries, and Sergeant Kennedy suffered burns from

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the toxic fuel. Twenty other people were also injured. The incident contributed to the decision to end the aging Titan II missile program, and between 1982 and 1987 the Air Force deactivated and removed all Titan IIs from service.

Erected 2026 by EAST at South Side Bee Branch High School; Arkansas Heritage. (Marker Number 56.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Disasters • War, Cold. In addition, it is included in the Arkansas Heritage series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 18, 1980.

Location. 35° 24.552′ N, 92° 23.456′ W. Marker is in Damascus, Arkansas, in Van Buren County. It is on Highway 65 South (U.S. 65 S) 0.1 miles north of Sulphur Road, on the left when traveling north. On W side of Hwy 65 S, 250 yards north of Sulphur Rd, just across highway from Stacks Law Firm. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14124 Highway 65 S, Damascus AR 72039, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Arkansas’ Ozark Plateau.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and

Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 Explosion Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ashley Sides, September 18, 2026

2. Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 Explosion Marker, Side Two

in the Ozarks.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The War in Van Buren County / Troops Raised in Van Buren County (approx. 13.2 miles away); Van Buren County (approx. 13.2 miles away).

Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 Explosion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ashley Sides, September 18, 2026

3. Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 Explosion Marker

Marker is across the highway from the Stacks Law Firm (blue building in this photograph).

Photographed by Ashley Sides, September 18, 2026

4. Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 Explosion Marker

Marker is accessible by driveway on west side of US-65 S. View looking north.

Photographed by Ashley Sides, September 18, 2026

5. Titan II Missile Complex 374-7 Explosion Marker

View of marker adjacent to highway, looking south.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2026, by Ashley Sides of Little Rock, Arkansas. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 21, 2026, by Ashley Sides of Little Rock, Arkansas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.