Handwritten letter to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. from Norbert Neumann.
Courts-martial and courts of inquiry--United States
Defense information, Classified
Intermediate-range ballistic missiles
Jupiter missile
Leaks (Disclosure of information)
Huntsville (Ala.)
Madison County (Ala.)
Neumann calls Nickerson case a "personal matter" and writes that he is rooting for him and that he was the greatest Battalion Commander he had ever had.
Neumann, Norbert
University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives, Huntsville, Alabama
This material may be protected under U. S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S. Code) which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials. You may use the digitized material for private study, scholarship, or research. Though the University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives and Special Collections has physical ownership of the material in its collections, in some cases we may not own the copyright to the material. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in our collections.
Correspondence
Text
Letter to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. from William F. Nichols.
Nichols writes to Nickerson, reminiscing of their time in active duty together in various places and how he held Nickerson in "highest esteem." He expresses concern over charges that indicate espionage, stating that they are "without foundation." He offers to appear in Nickerson's behalf and recommends reaching out to Brigadier General Pickering as well.
Nichols, William F.
Letter to Lt. Col. Charles R. Zimmer from E. H. Harrison.
Anniston (Ala.)
Calhoun County (Ala.)
Harrison writes of Nickerson's character throughout the letter. He states that if he ever returned to the active list, he would try to obtain "his assignment to my command."
Harrison, E. H.
Handwritten letter to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. from Ben Messick.
Messick writes to encourage Nickerson in his case, stating that he is confident Nickerson did what he believed to be in the best interest of the Army.
Messick, Ben
Letter to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. from "Curly".
"Curly" writes in support of Nickerson and states that while someone else will have to decide if what he did was right or wrong, he "might be one of the best qualified people alive to testify in your behalf." The second half of the letter is handwritten and discusses personal events in "Curly's" life such as a new grandson and a family member in the Navy.
Letter to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. from Mayor Ralph M. Wiltsie.
Mayor Wiltsie writes to Nickerson in his defense, asking if he can be of any help in the trial such as testifying or giving a character witness.
Wiltsie, Ralph M.
Letter to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. from Harold Sedrel.
Sedrel writes on behalf of Nickerson's character, though "unacquainted with the details of this particular case."
Sedrel, Harold
Letter to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. from Harry M. Moriarty.
Moriarty offers his services as a witness during Nickerson's trial and why what he has to offer would be to their "mutual benefit." He encloses with the letter an outline of a complaint that may be beneficial to Nickerson's case as well as his own.
Moriarty, Harry M.
Correspondence between Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. and Margaret C. Brownlow.
Knoxville (Tenn.)
Brownlow writes to give Nickerson the name of someone that would be interested in his case, Ray Jenkins, who would eventually join Nickerson's defense counsel with Robert K. Bell, along with two others. Nickerson responds, thanking Brownlow for the information. He expresses concern over financially securing Jenkins for his defense but hopes that Brownlow could still arrange a meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee. The third letter is a rough draft of Nickerson's response. Brownlow's second letter responds that she was able to get in touch with Ray Jenkins and left him with materials to read on Nickerson's case. Brownlow states she would get back to Nickerson as soon as he says "yes".
Brownlow, Margaret C.
Nickerson, John C., Jr.
Letter to Dr. A. V. Grosse from Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.
Philadelphia (Pa.)
In response to Grosse's letter to Dr. Wernher von Braun that had been sent to him, Nickerson thanks him for his offer of assistance in the case and asks if he would consent to appearing as a witness.
Letter to Ray H. Jenkins from Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.
This letter states that Nickerson sent two letters and a statement concerning member of the Court. However, this is the only letter in the collection.
Letter to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. from John J. Sparkman.
Sparkman thanks Nickerson for sending a booklet he had requested. He also requests Nickerson to send information on a long range flight conducted by ABMA directly to Erik Bergaust for an interview Bergaust did on Sparkman.
Sparkman, John J.
Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. clarification of actions took.
To clarify his intentions of the actions he took that led him to be court-martial, John C. Nickerson, Jr. writes a detailed document outlining three points. This set of documents includes two drafts of his message.
Documents
Drafts of letter to the Commanding General, Third Army from the Third Army Advisory Committee.
In response to the "problem created at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency" that would eventually lead to Colonel Nickerson's referral to a court-martial, the Third Army Advisory Committee writes this letter to inform the Commanding General that one of them, Robert K. Bell, had consented to being Nickerson's attorney as they see Nickerson's actions as being in the best interest of the national defense and Army.
Third Army Advisory Committee, Huntsville, Alabama
Pickering writes a general letter about Colonel John c. Nickerson, Jr.'s character, stating that Nickerson was a man of "sterling character" and an "intelligent and highly valuable officer."
Pickering, James A.
Written by John F. Roehm, this report covers a summary of reports of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.'s efficiency from his former Battery Executive Officer and regimental basketball boach.
Roehm, John F.
Reports
Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and James L. Lawson.
Auburn (Ala.)
Lee County (Ala.)
Lawson writes a brief letter to Bell wishing him luck in the Nickerson case and saying he is the right person for the job. Bell responds calls the case a "Herculean one" and hopes he can fulfill the responsibility.
Bell, Robert K.
Lawson, James L.
Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and Carl C. Brown.
Birmingham (Ala.)
Jefferson County (Ala.)
Brown wishes Bell the best in the Nickerson case and expresses support for the Colonel. Bell's response thanks Brown for his support.
Brown, Carl C.
Letter to Ed Willis, Jr. from Robert K. Bell.
Bell writes to thank Willis for his support in the Nickerson case.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Robert Smith.
Editor-in-Chief of Sagamore Press Inc., Publishers, Robert Smith, writes to Bell to say that his publishing company would be interested in Bell and Nickerson's story if they ever wish to write a book on it and the guided missles program.
Smith, Robert