Letter to Robert K. Bell from C. F. Cordes.
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.)
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.
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Correspondence
Text
This letter was written in response to Bell's May 27, 1957 letter to the Commanding General, Third United States Army requesting top secret clearance for necessary information related to the Nickerson case. According to Cordes, Bell and Jenkins were granted access through Lt. Col. Charles Zimmer.
This letter was written in response to Bell's June 13, 1957 letter to the Commanding General, Third United States Army requesting the trial of Colonel Nickerson to be postponed until late July or early August. Cordes informs Bell that this request has been denied and the trial will proceed as originally planned on June 25, 1957 and states that no further delay could be permitted.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Col. Forrest J. Agee.
Agee writes this letter in response to Bell's June 3, 1957 letter to the Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, regarding request for access to classified information. He states that the request is "not favorable considered" and the necessary information could "readily be obtained from direct testimony."
Agee, Forrest J.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.
Letter writing
Nickerson writes to Bell about Bell's upcoming trip to Panama in May, 1958. He offers advice for travelling to Panama and various things to expect. He also asks Bell to type the enclosed letter to journalist Drew Pearson, and he called Nickerson asking for the trial record.
Nickerson, John C., Jr.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Douglas H. McDonald.
McDonald expresses interest in John C. Nickerson's case to Bell in this letter. He explains that he heard about the case from a friend, Ralph Wiltsie, who served under Colonel Nickerson during World War II. McDonald writes that Wiltsie is under the impression that the counsel will want to call him as a trial witness.
McDonald, Douglas H.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Edward M. Almond.
Anniston (Ala.)
Calhoun County (Ala.)
Almond writes in reponse to Bell's February 18 letter regarding Medaris and other information of the Nickerson case.
Almond, Edward M.
This letter thanks Bell for the courtesy extended to Almond and Major Fergusson's visit to his office and expresses well wishes to Bell's wife. Almond details a few aspects of his stay in Huntsville in this letter.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Harry M. Ayers.
Ayers writes to Bell about an article written in The Anniston Star about him and the Nickerson trial and congratulates Bell for getting Nickerson "out as light as he did."
Ayers, Harry M.
Ayers writes regarding a wire from General Edward Almond to the National Department of the American Legion "calling on Eisenhower to exonerate our good friend Colonel John Nickerson."
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Jim G. Lucas.
Washington (D.C.)
Lucas writes concerning an enclosed document and thoughts regarding Colonel Medaris and the Nickerson case that had closed earlier that year. He closes by thanking Bell and his wife for their hospitality during his last stay in Huntsville.
Lucas, Jim G.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Joe L. Evins.
Evins writes to Bell of his interest in his involvement in the Nickerson case due to serving with both him and Ray H. Jenkins in the military.
Evins, Joe L.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Lt. Col. William G. Barry.
Barry writes to Bell to inform him that the Nickerson case has been transcribed and was forwarded to Washington the previous day. He expresses gratitude towards the manner in which Bell extended to him and hopes to renew their acquaintance in the future.
Barry, William G.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Person Moore.
Birmingham (Ala.)
Jefferson County (Ala.)
Moore sends another case to Bell hoping it will be of interest to him in the Nickerson case.
Moore, Person
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Ray H. Jenkins.
Knoxville (Tenn.)
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.
Jenkins, Ray H.
Jenkins writes after the trial of Colonel Nickerson, stating that he is completely relaxed and trying to get back into office routine. He approximates the expenses in the Nickerson case and says that his fee would be satisfactory as the amount agreed upon by Nickerson and Bell. He concludes by stating that Nickerson came out of the trial "unscathed and unscarred" and sends his best to Bell and his wife. The Nickerson trial ended with the dropping of the Espionage Act and perjury charges in exchange for 15 minor counts of mishandling defense information. Nickerson was fined $1,500, reprimanded, and forbidden to exercise his command for a year. He was later sent to a military base in Panama and died in a car crash a few years later.
This letter includes an attached letter from Martindale-Hubbell, Inc. which "speaks for itself" regarding the subject Jenkins in writing about. He states that he is writing Bell in "strictest confidence." The letter from Martindale-Hubbell, Inc. details a confidential report on Keller Smith submitted by Jenkins on July 5, 1957. It also includes information regarding Robert K. Bell's "rating" and that it has "not gone without our attention."
Hildebrand, William, Jr.
Jenkins writes to Bell in response to a previous letter. They frequently exchange humorous stories through correspondence and Jenkins states that he will tell another when they meet in person again. Jenkins also expresses longing to get together with the entire defense counsel and their families and looks forward to doing so.
Jenkins writes to Bell about Drew Pearson's book, U.S.A.--Second-Class Power?, of which, he mentions, has an entire chapter on Colonel Nickerson.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Richard W. Satterthwaite.
San Antonio (Tex.)
Satterthwaite writes to Bell to aid him in the Nickerson case by providing suggestions for testimony and information regarding the information regarding the missile program, including its financial situation and impact if switched from the Army to the Air Force.
Satterthwaite, Richard W.