Contact Us
Webmaster Craig Ostrander
If you have questions regarding this site you may contact me at the email address below.
If you have photos or articles for the website to send me please leave me an email at the address below and I will will reply with a better address to send attachments.
craigos@yahoo.com
Hi, Paula. Sorry I have not written lately. The website host dropped the ball and we have not been getting updates to the Comments Sections. Thanks to Craig Ostrander, our website admin, for all his effort to fix this. We are back in business!
Paula, Jack Boggs was Battery Commander of B Battery in 1962. He attended our 2008 reunion. Sad to say, he passed away October 5, 2010. I still have his wife’s contact information.
Please send my your email address at dfwellman@sbcglobal.net and I will forward your note to her.
Thanks so much for finding us and for offering to return the Zippo Lighter.
Best to you and yours.
Don
I recently Found a very nice zippo lighter with the name of Capt.J.E.Boggs JR. Date: 1 AU 62-1 OCT 64. also has 3RD MSL BN 1st ARTY…… WE found the lighter in IL about Aug.15th. Does anyone out there know how to contact him. I did see some pictures on the site that he have given. I am sure this lighter has some meaning behind it.
Info from Bob Davis.
Thanks, Bob.
Don
Bob Davis #
02.25.2013 10:09
1
I know we have had some comments from fellow nike people reguarding D-Bty in Elrama, Pa. I just received this month’s copy of The American Legion Magazine, and in search of section, Robert Sawyer veteran 59-1963 D-Btry is looking for fellow veterans,You can contact him at 207-591-9100, He was an MP Dog Handler.I gave him my phone number and Don’s to get him some information on how to get started on a reunion. I told him to check out our web site, so Good Luck to Robert and all the D-Btry Veterans.
Blazing Skies
I know we have had some coments from fellow nike people reguarding D-Bty in Elrama, Pa. I just received this month’s copy of The American Legion Magazine, and in search of section, Robert Sawyer veteran 59-1963 D-Btry is looking for fellow veterans,You can contact him at 207-591-9100, He was a MP Dog Handler.I gave him my phone number and Don’s to get him some information on how to get started on a reunion. I told him to check out our web site, so Good Luck to Robert and all the D-Btry Veterans.
Blazing Skies
I have fond memories of the Irwin Nike Site and would like to know who I could contact to visit it again. I am seeking information about the site itself and the off post housing that was a part of it. My father was stationed at PI36 and retired from the Army there.
I still have a roster of the men that were attached to the site in the late 50′s, in case anyone is interested.
Thanx 4 the web site. Brings back a flood of memories, especially the one of the mess hall. Many a Christmas party was held there. Well, Thanx again.
Jim O!
Thanks for writing, Bob.
I’m glad Bill finally found you!
I will be contacting you shortly for your mail information, in case we do another reunion.
Yep, I never saw a Russian bomber over Pittsburgh!:)
Thank you for your service.
Don
Hello All… I was just contacted by Bill Cochran who was my best buddy while I served at the Nike Site. It took Bill 40+ years to find me. I was a radar technician on the Hipar system. Sgt. Baker was my section chief. I was there for about a year from 1968. It’s wonderful to see this site. I had no idea it existed. I have lots of memories from the day… Now I can look at pictures and remember names. Thank you for keeping the site going. We must have done our jobs right back then. The russians never attacked Pittsburg, rite?
I WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR ROSTER AND I FOUND LT. TOMMY C HAWK HE WAS OUR COMMANDING OFFICER AT B BATTERY 74TH AAA IS THERE A WAY OF CONTACTING HIM?
MAYBE HE CAN HELP ME WITH OUR ROSTER IF POSSIBLE
THANK YOU
JIM DALLAPIAZZA
to whom it may concern
i was attached to b battery aaa 90mm anti aircraft in north park ihave been trying to get info on my outfit i can not pull up any info. i served there 1954-1956. if anyone can help me iwould be a happy camper
thank you
jim Dallapiazza
Hi, Perry.
From 1955 until March, 1957, the Pittsburgh Air Defenders wore the ARAACOM (Army Anti Aircraft Command) shoulder insignia.
In March of 1957, ARAACOM was redesignated ARADCOM (Army Air Defense Command). Because of non-availability of the new shoulder patch, we continued to wear the ARAACOM patch until mid-1958. The ARADCOM shoulder insignia was worn from then until the deactivation of ARADCOM.
You can see both of these insignias in the “History” link of this website.
I hope I have answered your question.
Best regards and thanks for writing.
Don
Hello, people.
I live near the Irwin control site myself, and I’ve been wondering exactly what insignia and patches you guys wore on your utility fatigues back in the day. I’d appreciate pictures of the patches or the uniforms.
Thanks for your comments, Jim, and thank you for your years of service.
Yes, the “Nike business” was the best!!!
Don
Nice website. Didn’t realize it existed til now. Was with the 1st Bn 176th ADA (PAARNG) from 9/61 to 1/63 at Rural Ridge (PI-02) and North Park (PI-92) sites. Over fifteen years active duty (enlisted and warrant officer) in NIKE Ajax and NIKE Hercules Ordnance maintenance units. The “NIKE Business” was the best duty in the US Army!
Hi, Royie.
B Battery was at Herminie from late in 1957 until its deactivation in 1974. You and I served there together 1958-1961. Herminie was the only Nike site I served at.
I believe the Herminie Nike site was the last to be constructed of the 12 in the Pittsburgh Air Defense. The original B Btry, 1st AAA Ajax Package (men and equipment) landed at North Park in early 1955 (PI-92). The Unit was deactivated in Fall of 1956 and was reactivated as B Btry, 74th AAA Msl Bn.
The second B Bty, 1st AAA Ajax Package arrived in Irwin in Fall of 1956. They set up some of their equipment and trained at Irwin with C Battery until the Herminie site was finished in late 1957.
D Btry, 1st AAA moved a couple of times. In 1955, from Rural Ridge to Elizabeth, and in 1960, from Elizabeth to Elrama. See the History link of this website.
All of this is confusing, but I hope it helps. Amen to the “geting old”!
Don
hey don delta battery was at herminie and c was in irwin .I dont know where b battery was clue me royie /am i wrong getting old you know
I especially remember the deer at the base. I spent a good deal of time working in the mess for Sgt Gross. I was a FIPSY operator but mostly tended the generators because of my mechanic abilities from the construction trades. My wife, Gracie, from Irwin and I have some pictures from 59 and 60 that are in our retirement home in Confluence, PA. Will send when we get back up there later this summer.
i would love for you to post some photos of my dad he was with A BATTERY 3RD MISSILE BN. 51ST 51ST ARTTILERY SITE 24-25 FAMINGDALE NY my father has past away but he was very proud to be with NIKE HERCULES my e-mail is uh1c2008@yahoo,com
paul hughbanks
.U.S.ARMY RETIRED