By Associated Press
Huntsville, AL – The Army has identified the two contract workers killed in an explosion while removing a propellant from rockets at Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville.
The public affairs office at the post identified the men as 58-year-old Jerry A. Grimes of Hartselle and 53-year-old James R. Hawke of Hazel Green.
The two died Wednesday night of injuries from the explosion that took place earlier in the day while they were removing ammonium perchlorate from rockets at a test site. The Army described the chemical as an oxidizer used in solid rocket propellant.
The Army conducts missile and weapons research at Redstone.
A memorial fund has been set up at Redstone Federal Credit Union for the men's families.