Handwritten letter to Ray H. Jenkins from Jim G. Lucas.
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.)
Knoxville (Tenn.)
Lucas writes that after spending a day with the trial lawyer, he has become convinced that Colonel Nickerson is a valuable asset to the nation's defense and to the Army. Lucas continues to provide information he knows relevant to the case.
Lucas, Jim G.
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
Handwritten letter to Robert K. Bell from C. J. Gibson.
Gibson writes in reference to Bell's defense of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. Gibson mentions comparable cases and his experience with similar situations.
Gibson, C. J.
A typed version and the andwritten notes regarding the Nickerson case. The author is unknown. These notes regard Nickerson's "Considerations on the Wilson Memorandum" and more.
Documents
Addressed to the "Gentlemen of the court", this statement outlines the reason for the trial and ends stating, "Colonel Nickerson pleads not guilty to all the charges and specifications."
Washington (D.C.)
Handwritten contact information for Drew Pearson. Pearson was the journalist whom make Nickerson's classified documents public.
"Run Down on Department of Army IG Report."
Various handwritten notes on the Army missile program and other information pertaining to the case of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.
Two handwritten copies of notes of the Nickerson trial.
These handwritten copies contain the testimony of Mr. Weisman.
Letter to Donald A. Quarles from Alexander.
Alexander writes to thank Quarles for making the arrangements that allowed him and his party to "see so many things of interest in the guided missile field." He adds that Lieutenant Colonel Nickerson was very "helpful and informative".
Letter to Ray H. Jenkins from Estes Kefauver and enclosed copies of letters.
Kefauver writes to Jenkins stating that he has enclosed the letter from the Department of the Army regarding the Nickerson case. The following letter addressed to Senator Kefauver is from Major General J. H. Michaelis. In it Michaelis writes that after consideration, the disclosure of certain documents is "too minimal to justify directing or advising the convening authority to drop the charges." He also writes that non-judicial punishment would be "legally objectionable" as Nickerson's offense is not minor. The last letter states the same regarding the dropping of the charges.
Brucker, Wilber M.
Kefauver, Estes
Michaelis, J. H.
Letter to Harry M. Ayers from William S. Pritchard.
Anniston (Ala.)
Calhoun County (Ala.)
Pritchard writes to Ayers in response to his January 4, 1958 letter regarding the reinstatement of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. He details what he believes to be "the exact facts in the Nickerson case." He states that Nickerson was in violation of Army orders and therefore is not qualified to serve in a facility like Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
Pritchard, William S.
Letter to Harry M. Ayers from Edward M. Almond.
Almond writes to Ayers stating that he believes Nickerson is still a "valuable man to the U.S. services" and thanks Ayers for his interest in the matter.
Almond, Edward M.
Letter to Robert K. Bell from Harry M. Ayers.
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."
Ayers, Harry M.
Correspondence between George Huddleston, Jr., Lieutenant General Edward M. Almond, and Carl Vinson.
Almond writes to Huddleston in an attempt to get Nickerson brought back from exile in Panama. Huddleston agrees with Almond in his response and says he will do his best to advocate for Nickerson's testimony on the missile program and will bring the matter to the attention of the Chairman, Honorable Carl Vinson. Huddleston's following letter of January 25, 1958 states that Carl Vinson does not believe having Nickerson as a witness is advisable. Huddlestone attaches a copy of Vinson's letter that explains this. Almond writes in response to the decision with his thoughts on the matter and believes that "all service officers will step gingerly in their testimony" so as not to "stick their necks out as General Gavin and Colonel Nickerson have already done."
Huddleston, George, Jr.
Vinson, Carl
Letter to the defense counsel from John E. Moss.
Moss writes in response to the defense counsel's request of March 25, 1957 for information from the House Government Information Subcommittee. Moss states that all published hearings and reports on the subject are being mailed separately.
Moss, John E.
Barnwell (S.C.)
Smith writes to "Pat" with information as the former president of the court-martial, that would be beneficial to the defense counsel. "Pat" most likely is one of the members of the defense counsel as Smith refers to "you and Buster" several times throughout his letter, "Buster" being the nickname for Robert K. Bell, defense attorney.
Smith, Michael G.
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.
"Request for Downgrading of Classified Document."
On behalf of the defense counsel, Charles R. Zimmer writes to the Army Staff Judge Advocate, Colonel Clifford F. Cordes, to request that the report of the Inspector General of the Department of the Army be downgraded from classified to unclassified. Zimmer states that he feels without this document being accessible to the defense counsel, the "defense in this case is being hampered."
Zimmer, Charles R.
Letter and draft of letter to Robert K. Bell and Ray H. Jenkins from Stanely W. Jones.
Jones writes to Bell and Jenkins in response to their letter of April 13, 1957 to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Department of the Army. With an oral request, the defense counsel had requested for the drop of Specification 1, Charge II. Jones states that as soon as a decision is made the convening authority will advise them of it.
Jones, Stanley W.
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
Reports on Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.
These three reports on Nickerson by various military officers testify to his character and military service.
Mesick, B. S.
Pickering, James A.
Simon, Leslie E.