Welcome
Memorial Plaque list of donors
Find Battery B on Google Earth or other mapping programs. IFC area coordinates are Latitude 40.27315, Longitude -79.76300. The Launch area is Latitude 40.2631, Longitude -79.76516.
Google Earth—in “fly to” box, enter numbers only for Latitude and Longitude. Always enter Latitude coordinates first . Don’t forget to include “minus sign” for Longitude. Click on magnifying glass icon to fly to the coordinates. The coordinates will remain in your “Fly to” log.
ANOTHER WAY TO GET A GOOD AERIAL VIEW:
(1) Go to Google Maps. (2) Enter “Mars Hill Storage, Rillton, PA. (3) A red tear drop marker will appear. That is the intersection of Mars Hill and Slaughter Hollow Rd. The Launcher Area is South of the intersection and the IFC Area is North. (4) Zoom in and move around until you have your desired picture. The detail is amazing!
This site is dedicated to the men of B Battery, 1st AAA Msl Bn, and B Battery, 3rd Msl Bn, 1st Artillery Regiment.
As the Nike Ajax system underwent testing during the early 1950s, the Army became concerned that the missile was incapable of stopping a massed Soviet air attack. To enhance the missile’s capabilities, the Army explored the feasibility of equipping Ajax with a nuclear warhead, but when that proved impractical, in July 1953 the service authorized development of a second generation surface-to-air missile, the Nike Hercules. As with Nike Ajax, Western Electric was the primary contractor with Bell Telephone Laboratories providing the guidance systems and Douglas Aircraft serving as the major subcontractor for the airframe.
In 1958, 5 years after the Army received approval to design and build the system. Nike Hercules stood ready to deploy from converted Nike Ajax batteries located in the New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago defense areas. However, as Nike Hercules batteries became operational, the bitter feud between the Army and Air Force over control of the nation’s air defense missile force flared anew. The Air Force opposed Nike Hercules, claiming that the Army missile duplicated the capabilities of the soon-to-be-deployed BOMARC. Eventually, both of the competing missiles systems were deployed, but the Nike Hercules would be fielded in far greater numbers over the next 6 years.
Specifications
| Length | 41 feet |
| Diameter | 31.5 inches |
| Wingspan | 6 feet, 2 inches |
| Weight | 10.710 pounds |
| Booster fuel | Solid propellant |
| Missile fuel | Solid propellant |
| Range | Over 75 miles |
| Speed | Mach 3.65 2,707 mph |
| Altitude | Up to 150,000 feet |
| Guidance | Command by electronic computer and radar |
| Warhead | High-Explosive fragmentation or nuclear |
| Contractors |
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Here are two links of interest found by Tom Zangla. They are archived videos each about 30 minutes in length.
Hi, Missy. I hope all is well with you and your parents. Give them my best.
Thank you for reminding us of the “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans” Day which is celebrated around the Country each year on March 30th. Many of our Nike veterans served during the Viet Nam era.
I hope all veterans, Viet Nam and otherwise will take pause to remember and honor the veterans that gave so much. Thanks to you and the Parkersburg Veterans Museum for organizing an event of recognition for the Viet Nam veterans.
Thanks for writing and also, thank you so much for the 2011 Reunion photos in our Gallery.
Don
Don
I met you this summer I’m Bill Cochran’s daughter I have found a couple of items for the Welcome Home Vietnam Vet day this posting is for the Parkersburg, WV area. Thanks
As you may already know, the U.S. Senate has declared March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” On March 30, 1973, all U.S. troops withdrew from Vietnam under the terms of the Treaty of Paris and began to return home. For our Vietnam Vets, there were no welcome home parades or celebrations when they returned from that unpopular war. Instead, their homecoming was met with indifference and …even hostility.
In keeping with the spirit of our nation, we, at the Veterans Museum, are organizing an event in Parkersburg City Park on March 31, 2012 at 10:00am in support of our Vietnam Veterans and this national recognition day.
By setting March 30th aside to focus on our Vietnam Veterans, we can show our unified appreciation of the service and sacrifices they made on our behalf. On Saturday March 31st 2012 the museum will hold a ceremony to honor Vietnam Veterans at the “Veterans Tribute, Stepping Stones of Honor” brick memorial in Parkersburg’s City Park.
Hi, Gary.
It was great to meet a fellow Nike man, even out at sea, of all places!!!
I think the patch you are wanting is the ARADCOM patch. Please write me at dfwellman@sbcglobal.net and if it is, I have an extra one you can have.
I hope all is well down there in Hempstead! Look me up if you get to Dallas.
Thanks for writing.
Don
Don, sorry I have taken so long to respond. You and I met on a cruise out of Galveston, Texas. I was wearing the AADA cap. I have been for years, been searching for a nike hercules missile patch. I have seen them in the past but for the life of me, can’t seem to locate one anywhere. It is triangular with a nike missile and I believe the moon on it. If you have any idea of where I can purchase one, would you please relay the info to me. I was 23G20 mechanic and a spec.5 at the missile park at Ft. Bliss and McGregor range from 1965-1966. I honestly believe the Nike Hercules Improved missile system was the best ever. Thanks, Gary
Chanook helicopters were used to fly out the nukes when the sites were closed. Those things created a lot of property damage from shingles to awnings on nearby houses. I left for Ft. Bliss to cross train to Hawk then to Homestead AFB. I was gone for the final closure. I finally ended in Germany back to Nike Hercs. I thought guard duty was boring at the Pa. site but worse in Germany with the 40 ft. guard towers. After the army , national guard and AF reserve (911th at Pittsburgh) and a civilian career as a police officer I have managed to boomerang myself back to guard duty as a DoD police officer at a remote navy base.
Yes, John, B Battery had a “mascot” in the IFC Area for a number of its early years. Take a look at Jim Plassio and Bob Sheely’s photos in our website Gallery. He was just a yearling buck when he arrived in 1958. He spent a lot of time in our barracks and like a goat, he would eat just about anything. As he aged he became aggressive, especially during the rut! We had to rope him and saw off his antlers once. I understand he eventually jumped the fence an never came back!
Did B battery have a mascot. At Elrama I believe we were D battery I was shipped out as soon as the site lost its mission. A small scruffy white and black dog called Mort which I believe was missing a leg lived at the lchr. area. I remember the dog falling into the pit when the missile doors began opening. I believe the dog probably slid half way due to doors opening slowly lessening the impact of the fall. After that we made sure the dog was with us or locked out of the sections ( exc. area ) when we were in the pits. I wonder what happened to that dog. I was 20 when I left and will soon be 60. When I stopped at the site nearly 20 years ago and toured what was left I spoke with a young reservist who thought the site was abandoned during WW2 and had no idea what was what. I felt really old then but was only 40. JTR
Thanks for writing, John Roth.
Thank you for your service at the Elrama Nike Site in the Pittsburgh Air Defense.
As you can see, we have had two Reunions. We have not scheduled any further Reunions, but of course anything can change.
This website is our focal point for continued communication with our Nike veterans. Please take a look at it occasionally as we periodically make updates.
If you like please contact me at dfwellman@sbcglobal.net for further information.
Best to you.
Don
I was stationed at Nike site at Elrama , Pa. , not far from Herminie in 1973. I also know Joe Arthur who was a MP in Herminie around 69 or 70. I have revisited the site at Elrama about 15 or so years ago. It was Army reserve or NG. I would like to know about your reunions or other functions,
Thanks for writing, “Dunny”!
Good to hear from you.
Don
I was a generator operator in the “high power” unit on the hill. I was there from Aug 68 – Feb 69 before being sent to Viet Nam. I remember going to Herminie for “Kessler’s and Rock” on a day off, day on basis. (bombs away!)Going to “little Washington” for a weekend and even to Cleveland for a fine visit. I even drove Cap. Erwin to HQ (somewhere) for a day. All this was in the late “60′s”; what a mad time it was for all of us serving. “…we have heard the chimes at midnight Master Shallow, we have heard the chimes.”
I served at the site from 1973 qnd was there for the closing. I have a lot of great memories from there and still remember the great guys who were there.
This is for Donald Jones.
I was a young 1LT at Herminie — Launcher Platoon Leader from 1968-70. I remember a Major Jones at Battalion headquarters in Irwin. Don’t know if that was your dad or not with Jones being such a common name. The Major Jones I knew worked for a LTC Gray. Who was our Battalion Commander at the time.
Frank Mellage
1968-70
Thank you for sharing your memories of the Irwin Nike Site with us, Donald, and thank you for your comment about the Plaque. The Herminie Launcher Site is in great shape. IFC was vandalyzed over many years before the present owner bought it. During our Reunions, it is very meaningful for us old veterans to be able to walk around on the ground we tread on 40 or 50 years ago. We are grateful to the owners of both the IFC and LCA for their hospitality.
My dad Lt. Col. Donald L. Jones Sr. Ret.Served at irwin and Oakdale he would love the plaque!!! Itis awesome. I never was at hermanie as a kid but all the sites looked the same! I Wish we could save irwin it is the Most intact site in the pittsburgh complex. When i miss my pop, I go there to the IFC and just remember !!! Even the original flag pole is still up and with flag !! I try to keep it that way for you guys.! The launch site across the turnpike is 75 % intact also ! Thanks Guys for taking care of us in the 50s and 60s !! You kept me From being scared of invasions as a kid !! Our nikes were bad ass
Hey,very cool site……its a shame one of the sites in the burgh isn’t restored,i served many years in the national guard on top of the old PI-43 site in elrama pa!! me and daughter still go down and walk around the launcher site couple times a year!! cheers!!!
Thanks for writing, Conrad.
I’m glad you and your son, Terrance, came to the Reunion. It was good to meet the both of you.
Don
Finily got my computer working. I got the crests from you,and they were the
right ones.
My son and I had a good time at the reunion. It brought back many memories,
too bad many from the time I served didn’t attend.
I met and married my wife there. She was from Greensburg, and I tried to find
some of our relations,but most of them moved or had died.
We enjoyed the CD and had a good time remembering our time there.
Hope to see you if we have another reunion.
Conrad L Barrick
1965 – 1967
I just received notice from Mary Stevens of the death of Tom on October 1 in Greeley, Colorado. Tom Stevens was one of my close friends at the Herminie Nike Site. He was a collegiate tennis champion and travelled to play in many of the Army regional tournaments while stationed in the Army. Among my fond memories are the many tackle football games we played in the snow up on the “Hill”. I also remember the old raggedy car we bought for a couple hundred bucks in 1958. I donated my half to him when I got married in April 1959. Photos of Tom can be found in the Gallery link of this website under my name. Tom was a good guy!
Don Wellman
Bob Good gave me notice of the passing of Bill Seefeld on October 13th. Bill was First Sergeant at the Herminie Nike Site 1968-1969. He retired from the Army in 1969. Bill attended the 2008 Nike Reunion.
His obituary may be found at the link below, under the Westmoreland County listing.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/obituaries
Don
I received notice of Jim Eicher’s passing just prior to the 2011 Herminie Reunion. He passed on August 17, 2011.
Many of you will remember SFC Eicher. He served two tours at the Herminie Nike Site, 1957-1960 and 1966-1968. He retired from the Army in 1968, while serving at Herminie. He lived in Greensburg after retiring from the Army. We’re thankful for his service to our Country.
Don
Hi, Curtis and Jackie.
Thank you so much for writing.
Jackie, I was so sad to hear of Don’s passing. I know he enjoyed our Reunion in 2008.
Curtis, we appreciate your kind and thoughtful words. We are thankful for young men like you and for your service to our Country.
God Bless our Country, its Military, its Veterans and all their families.
Don
I am the son of Donald R. Behm, Spec 4, who served at the site, and I am sitting here with my mother looking at the wonderful plaque. I am an Iraqi War veteran who served in the infantry and I just wanted to let you know that what you guys did during the cold war was so very important and the importance is not lost on me despite how it seems so many have forgotten how dangerous the cold war really was.
My mother and I thank those who took the time to put all this together with heartfelt appreciation.
Thank You
Glad you found us, Conrad!
I will be emailing you the 2011 Reunion Invitation Package. Not too late to sign up.
Don
I served at B Battery from 1965 to 1967. I was supprised to find this site.
Where in Greensburg it the reunion.
To All-
7/3/2011
Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!!!
Don