Letter from Col. John C. Nickerson at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, to Gen. James A. Pickering in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ballistic missiles
Cold War
Courts martial and courts of inquiry--United States
Espionage
Redstone Arsenal (Ala.)
Huntsville (Ala.)
Madison County (Ala.)
Nickerson, John C.
Pickering, James A.
In this letter, Nickerson thanks Gen. Pickering for his support and explains why he believes the Army is the best service branch to develop ballistic missiles. He also discusses the need for missiles in case of war with the Soviet Union. Nickerson was a staff officer at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency at Redstone Arsenal assigned to work on the Jupiter, the United States' first mid-range ballistic missile. He was arrested and court martialed for espionage in 1957 after releasing sensitive documents about the United States missile program to the press. At the time, Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson granted the Air Force sole authority to develop intermediate range ballistic missile systems. Nickerson disagreed with this policy, and in response, leaked documents that demonstrated the superiority of Army missiles compared to those developed by the Air Force. He eventually pled guilty to lesser charges and was suspended from the Army for one year and was fined $1,500. Dr. Wernher von Braun was among those who testified on Nickerson's behalf.
Nickerson, John C., Jr.
University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives, Huntsville, Alabama
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Correspondence
Text
Letter writing
Huntsville (Ala).
Lexington (Ky.)
This personal letter from Robert K. Bell details personal health conditions and an upcoming trip to Washington.
Bell, Robert K.
Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and Edward M. Almond.
Courts-martial and courts of inquiry--United States
Defense information, Classified
Intermediate-range ballistic missiles
Jupiter missile
Leaks (Disclosure of information)
Anniston (Ala.)
Calhoun County (Ala.)
These letters include information pertaining to the Nickerson case. Almond expresses desire to "get something in motion to subdue the unnecessary and trivial expressions of � General Medaris". The letters also mention various correspondence that was included in the exchange of information. Both men advocate for the "cause" of Colonel Nickerson's actions. Bell was Nickerson's attorney during his trial.
Almond, Edward M.
Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and Harry M. Ayers.
In response to Bell's February 13 letter from Edward Almond, Ayers informs Bell that he is attempting to find someone who would write a letter to newspaper publications in agreement with their opinion that Medaris is taking too much credit for his work. Bell responds that he is skeptical Ayers would find anyone as Medaris could make their life a "rather miserable existence".
Ayers, Harry M.
Letter to the Commanding General, Third Army, from the Third Army Advisory Committee.
This letter details the committee's agreement with Nickerson's actions, believing he was acting "for what he thought was the best interest of the national defense." They advocate for the inclusion of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency team on the intermediate-range ballistic missile program. The committee states that trial by court-martial would not reflect the many accomplishments Nickerson has made for the Army weapon program and feel it unnecessary.
Third Army Advisory Committee, Huntsville, Alabama
Letter to Robert E. Jones from Robert K. Bell.
Washington (D.C.)
Robert K. Bell writes to Senator Bob Jones for help and information regarding the Nickerson case.
Phone conversation between Robert K. Bell and General Shinkle
The transcript details a conversation regarding the necessity of military counsel being present during the conference with Colonel Bengston, Captain Ledford, and Colonel Nickerson and under whose orders was the military counsel under.
Transcriptions (documents)
Letter to General Matthew B. Ridgway from Lt. Colonel Charles R. Zimmer.
Pittsburgh (Pa.)
These documents include the draft of the letter and the final letter. Zimmer writes to Ridgway regarding his testimony and its importance in the Nickerson trial. Zimmer also asks for Ridgway's opinion on the "necessity of an Army commander exercising immediate and direct control" over defense weapons.
Zimmer, Charles R.
Letter to Ray H. Jenkins from Robert K. Bell.
Knoxville (Tenn.)
Bell thanks Jenkins for joining the defense of Nickerson and writes that he included newspaper clippings and other informative information about the case.
Letter to the Commanding General, Third Army.
In this letter, it is requested that May 13-17, 1957 be set as the dates of the Nickerson trial. It then details the reasons for these specific dates.
Cole, Lewis G.
Jenkins, Ray H.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Ray H. Jenkins.
Jenkins writes in response to Bell's March 22 letter, addressing the various information that was included in Bell's letter and his ability to visit Huntsville for nine days to help prepare for the trial.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from C. F. Cordes.
Cordes writes in response to the defense counsel's request to the Commanding General, Third United States Army, of the trials dates May 13-17, 1957. He confirms that the trials dates have been postponed to the 15th in accordance with their request.
Cordes, C. F.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Edward M. Almond.
Almond writes in reponse to Bell's February 18 letter regarding Medaris and other information of the Nickerson case.
Letter to the Commanding General, Third United States Army from the Defense Counsel.
The Defense Counsel writes to the Commanding General, Third United States Army requesting "top secret clearance for all members of the General Court Martial, the Court Reporter, and the Civilian Counsel n the case of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr."
Letter to James A. Pickering from John "Jack" Nickerson.
Atlanta (Ga.)
Nickerson thanks Pickering for the letters of support sent to his defense counsel. He also discusses ballistic surface-to-surface missiles and "scientific progress". He ends by requesting a deposition as Pickering will be in Europe in May, when the trial is scheduled to happen.
Phone message to Robert K. Bell from Walter Harper.
In this transcript of the phone message to Bell from Walter Harper of Reynolds Metals, Bell is informed that Mr. Hunt will be arriving the following day and will try to land at the air strip at Redstone Arsenal. This information was asked to be passed on to Colonel Nickerson.
Harper, Walter
Letter and drafts of letter to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence from Robert K. Bell.
These drafts of the letter and final letter to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence requesting highly classified information to be made available to the Court in order to "insure a proper defense" in the Nickerson case. These documents also include a letter from Bell to Ray H. Jenkins asking him to read the draft of the letter before Bell sends it and also asks about traveling to Washington the following week.
Memorandum for Robert K. Bell from Charles R. Zimmer.
This memo was written about a conversation earlier that day. Zimmer tells Bell that after discussing with Lieutenant Cole, they agree that Colonel Nickerson should not be tried on any other charges than the first ten specification to Charge I.
Memorandums
Statements of Mrs. Nickerson and Dr. Wernher von Braun.
These voluntary statements were made in the office of Robert K. Bell. The first by Mrs. John C. Nickerson and the second by Dr. Wernher von Braun.
Nickerson, Carol
Von Braun, Wernher.
Memorandum for Ray H. Jenkins and Robert K. Bell
This memo details an upcoming trip to Washington and the scheduled appointments with various senators and military officials in regard to the Nickerson case. The memo states that it would be preferred is all charges and specifications dropped and consider a reinvestigation and punishment. It includes other information regarding the case.