1960 New Jersey BOMARC Missile Fire

When the Soviet Union acquired nuclear weapons, the United States decided to field nuclear surface to air missiles to defend against Soviet bombers. Less than a year after being deployed, one of those missiles caught fire and exploded in rural New Jersey. The History Guy recalls a forgotten accident that occurred at the height of Cold War tensions.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by THG

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