United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
German Americans
George C. Marshall Space Flight Center
Von Braun, Wernher, 1912-1977
Interview between Bob Ward and Alex McCool. Topic covered included Wernher von Braun's interactions with Marshall personnel as well as how history will interpret von Braun. Both sides of tape.
Ward, Bob, 1934-
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.
Interviews
Audio
C.E. "Ed" Monroe Jr., David Christensen.
Huntsville (Ala.)
Phone call between Bob Ward and C.E. Monroe. Short talk centers around Wernher von Braun and living on Monte Sano in Huntsville, Alabama. All of side 1.
Telephone conversation between Bob Ward and David Christensen. Topic discussed include the progress of Bob's book and a few stories relating to the later part of Wernher von Braun's life when Dave got to know Wernher. Entirety of side 2.
Phone conversation between Bob Ward and Mr. Hewitt. Hewitt speaks about Wernher von Braun's gift for oration and some of the stories he shared about his past. Full side of tape.
Bob Ward calls Chuck Lundquist to talk about and stories he knows relating to Wernher von Braun. Lundquist relates a few tales relating to von Braun's work in the early days of NASA as well as his family and the way he handled meetings. Entirety of side 1.
Phone Call between Bob Ward and Werner Dahl on the subject of Wernher von Braun. Topics covered include von Braun's lineage, their time together at Peenemünde, and feelings about the move to Washington D.C. Entirety of side 2.
Dorette Schlidt, Bill Lucas, Jim Odom, William Pickering, Dr. A.K. Thiel, Joe Jones.
Phone call between Dorette Schlidt and Bob Ward on different aspects and emotions of the von Brauns leaving Huntsville, Alabama. Side 1 thru 6:00.
Snippet from a speech on von Braun by Bill Lucas on the work and achievements of Wernher von Braun. Side 1 6:00 - 8:00.
Conversation between Bob Ward and Jim Odom. Shares some stories about Wernher von Braun beliefs and his family life. Side 1 8:00 thru end of side.
Phone call from Bob Ward to William Pickering on Wernher von Braun's career and his work after NASA, side 2 thru 7:00.
Bob Ward attempts to reach Dr. Adolf Thiel to ask about Wernher von Braun stories. Side 2 7:00 - 9:30.
Bob Ward calls Joe Jones to discuss Wernher von Braun stories. Jones elaborates on von Braun's generosity and gives advice to Ward about who to interview next about von Braun. Side 2 9:30 thru end.
Dr. Adolf Thiel, Jim Shepherd, Bob Lindstrom.
Project Apollo (U.S.)
Phone Conversation with Dr. Adolf Thiel about Dr. Wernher von Braun and their time working together at Peenemünde and in the United States. Side 1 begninning to 14:18.
Conversation with Jim Shepherd regarding stories of Wernher von Braun, Safety protocol at Marshall Space Flight Center, and Stennis test center in Mississippi. Remainder of Side 1.
Interview with Bob Lindstrom regarding stories of Wernher von Braun and the early work he did as a GI in Redstone Arsenal. Entirety of side 2.
Interview with Dr. William Lucas on Wernher von Braun, comparing and contrasting him to Robert Goddard and setting up the University of Alabama in Huntsville, along with other stories. Both sides of tape.
Dr. William Pickering, Dr. A.K. Thiel, Ed Mohlere.
Phone call between Dr. William Pickering and Bob Ward on encounters Pickering had with Wernher von Braun. Not very audible. Side 1 up to 19:00.
Phone call Bob Ward made to Dr. Adolf Thiel asking about sotries related to Wernher von Braun. Dr. Thiel asks for time to thing about it. Side 1 19:00 to 30:00.
Conversation between Ed Mohlere and Bob Ward. Focuses on stories related to Wernher von Braun, mentioning his promotion of teachers and education, the power he wielded legislatively, and the relation between Eberhard Rees and von Braun. 30:00 on side 1 thru duration of side 2.
Ed Barisford, Al Berisford, Ralph Petroff.
Phone call from Bob Ward to Ed Barisford regarding any stories involving Wernher von Braun he knew. Barisford related a couple stories about von Braun's flying habits, which was his primary connection to Barisford. Side 1 to 32:00.
Bob Ward's phone call to Al Berisford about any Wernher von Braun stories he knew. Berisford doesn't know very much, but is able to relate some von Braun stories about flying. Side 1 32:00 to end of side.
Phone call between Bob Ward and Ralph Petroff. Ward asks Petroff about stories involving Wernher von Braun. Petroff's response is almost impossible to hear. Entirety of side 2.
Ed Grubbs and Geo. Fehler, Gen. John Zierdt.
Conversation between Bob Ward and Ed Grubbs, a pilot of Wernher von Braun. Covered are von Braun's love of flying and his health towards the end of his life. Side 1 through 11:40 on side 2.
Interview between Bob Ward and General John Zierdt. Zierdt talks about Wernher von Braun's talkative nature in meeting and while travelling as well as his musical talent. 11:40 side 2 through end.
Frances G. Moore, Ellery May, Apollo 11 '89 P.C. video?
Bob Ward calls Frances G. Moore to ask about stories relating to Wernher von Braun. Main story relates to what some of the engineers did after work. Side 1 through 24:00.
Short phone call between Bob Ward and Ellery May. May talks about how Wernher von Braun used to give tours of Marshall Space Flight Center. Side 1 24:00 through 39:00.
Interview and Question and Answer session with Apollo 11 Astronauts circa 1989. Discussion focuses on future NASA plans. Begins on side 2 to end, picks up at 39:00 on side 1 through end.
Frank Williams talks to Bob Ward about Wernher von Braun. Of particular note are stories regarding von Braun's office relationships and his ability to communicate. Both sides of tape, through side 2 is inaudible.
Fred Ordway talks about notable stories with Wernher von Braun, including attending meetings, hunting, and von Braun's sense of humor. Both sides of tape.
Phone call between Georg von Tiesenhausen and Bob Ward on working with Wernher von Braun on the V2 rocket. Bad static in first half of tape. Entirety of side 1.
Harry Atkins, Cronkite's offce, Ralph Petroff.
Phone call from Bob Ward to Harry Atkins. Conversation about Wernher von Braun stories and how the space program began in Huntsville. Also discussed is historical revisionism around von Braun and his team. Side 1 of tape up tp 42:30.
Short phone call where a receptionist takes a message from Bob Ward to Walter Cronkite. 42:30 to end of side 1.
Conversation with Ralph Petroff on his encounters with Wernher von Braun. Petroff recounts von Braun's somewhat mythic status as well as the strife in early NASA between the Germans and the Jews. Entirety of side 2.
Sparkman, John, 1899-1985
Short phone call where Bob Ward inquires about Ivo Sparkman's husband, Senator John Sparkman, and his relationship with President Roosevelt. Side 1 to 3:00 mark.
Conversation between Jim Daniels and Bob Ward about Wernher von Braun. Some stories relate to von Braun's ability to communicate, his personal relations prowess, and his family life. 3:00 on side 1 through the end of side 2.
Conversation between Bob Ward and Jay Foster on interaction with Wernher von Braun. Foster relates a number of stories touching on von Braun's love of flying and professional associations, among others. Both sides of tape.
Interview with Jim Shepherd on memories from Wernher von Braun, including him hunting and working with space camp. Both sides of tape.
Glenn, John, 1921-2016
Phone Conversation with a Senator on interactions with astronaut John Glenn and Wernher von Braun. Full side of tape.
Bob Ward gets lunch with Lee B. James. They discuss stories relating to Wernher von Braun over lunch. Mentioned are von Braun's meeting style, speeches, salesmanship, and how he handled publicity. Both sides of tape.