Gateway National Recreation Area - Cold War at Fort Hancock (U.S. National Park Service)

NPS/Gateway NRA

Nike missile soldiers relax in Barracks 74, c. 1960.

During the Cold War, the U.S. Army defended cities from air attack. At Fort Hancock and across the nation, this was accomplished first with anti-aircraft guns and then with Nike Missiles. These Surface-to-Air (SAM) missiles protected New York City from 1954-1974. Click on a link below for the stories of the soldiers and wives of the Cold War.

Jerry Bouiseau, Nike Missiles, pdf

Carl Cochran, Nike Missiles, pdf

Kenneth Colburn, Anti-Aircraft guns, pdf

Paul Cavise and Bill Fabian, Nike Missiles, pdf

Phil Duffy, N.J. National Guard, pdf

Thomas Faley, General Clapsaddle's aide, pdf

Herbert Hayes, Last Post Commander, pdf

Dorothy Johnson, Officer's wife, pdf

Clifford Morgan, Nike Missiles, pdf

John McKenna, Nike Missiles, pdf

Philip Oswald, Nike Missiles, pdf

Gary Peal, Nike Missiles, pdf

Arlie Seitz, Officers' Wives Club President, pdf

Erwin Taper, radio and communications, pdf

Don Wood, Nike Missiles, pdf