Dublin Core
Title
US Army Uniform, fatigue shirt
Subject
Military Service
Cold War
Nike Site
Cold War
Nike Site
Description
Sergeant James Moldenhauer served at Waukesha’s Nike Missile Site until it was decommissioned in 1971. During Moldenhauer’s tenure the site was equipped with the Hercules nuclear missiles, as part of the northern border defense.
The Cold War lasted nearly five decades, bringing the United States and Soviet Union into several proxy wars around the globe, and leaving respective military personnel at the ready. The Waukesha Nike Site went DEFCON 3 on October 22, 1962, with personnel scrambled to their radar stations and the missile pits. The incident was part of the domestic response during the Cuban Missile Crisis - one of the nearest moments of “hot” war.
The nuclear capacity was a secret until 1975, although rumors in the city were prevalent. Servicemen resided onsite, and had a hobby shop along with support service personnel to help ensure security. In addition to proximity to the northern border, Wisconsin’s sites also served to protect the industrial interests in the region: Allis Chalmbers, International Harvester, Chrysler, and General Motors, among others.
Donor: James Moldenhauer
Adopt an Artifact Sponsor: Edward Jones
The Cold War lasted nearly five decades, bringing the United States and Soviet Union into several proxy wars around the globe, and leaving respective military personnel at the ready. The Waukesha Nike Site went DEFCON 3 on October 22, 1962, with personnel scrambled to their radar stations and the missile pits. The incident was part of the domestic response during the Cuban Missile Crisis - one of the nearest moments of “hot” war.
The nuclear capacity was a secret until 1975, although rumors in the city were prevalent. Servicemen resided onsite, and had a hobby shop along with support service personnel to help ensure security. In addition to proximity to the northern border, Wisconsin’s sites also served to protect the industrial interests in the region: Allis Chalmbers, International Harvester, Chrysler, and General Motors, among others.
Donor: James Moldenhauer
Adopt an Artifact Sponsor: Edward Jones
Creator
US Army
Date
1960's
Rights
Waukesha County Historical Society & Museum