PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. — U.S. Army officials gathered at Picatinny Arsenal on July 10 to honor the lives lost in the devastating 1926 explosion with a wreath-laying ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of one of the installation's most significant tragedies.
The explosion of July 10, 1926, claimed the lives of 19 people and injured dozens more after lightning struck a Navy ammunition storage magazine at the adjacent Lake Denmark Naval Ammunition Depot, triggering a series of massive explosions that spread across the surrounding area, including Picatinny Arsenal.
Attending the ceremony was the extended family of Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Norman F. Ramsey, who commanded Picatinny Arsenal while serving at the rank of major at the time of the explosion a century ago.
Following remarks from Maj. Gen. Christopher D. Schneider, current Picatinny Arsenal Commanding General, Ramsey’s granddaughter, Margaret Kasschau, read a letter from her grandmother Minna, recounting the tragedy as it unfolded.
U.S. Army photo by Carly Michelson
| Date Taken: | 07.09.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2026 13:05 |
| Photo ID: | 9810002 |
| VIRIN: | 260709-O-GY890-7502 |
| Resolution: | 7547x5391 |
| Size: | 7.89 MB |
| Location: | PICATINNY ARSENAL, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 2 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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U.S. Army commemorates 100th anniversary of 1926 Picatinny Arsenal explosion
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