[322] The Assistant Administrator for Defense Affairs, as a member of the NASA Headquarters management team, was called upon to participate from time to time in various policy, planning' administrative, and management activities only indirectly associated with the NASA-DOD interface. Some of these duties were formally assigned through precepts covering boards, committees, panels, ad hoc groups, etc., while others were of an informal but repetitive nature.
During the period October 30-November 2, 1963, I attended a NASA Management Committee Conference at Ames Research Center, chaired by Mr. Webb, in which all of the Center Directors and their Deputies were brought together with NASA top management, the Program Directors and their principal assistants, and the Heads of the Headquarters functional offices for a searching examination of NASA policies, plans, and on-going activities. Each of the key officials present was called upon to report on the activities of his office and to lead the ensuing discussion. I believe it was Mr. Webb's original intention to hold such a conference at least once a year, meeting at the various Centers in turn. While this conference appeared to be highly beneficial and productive, the arrangement was not continued, probably because of the time and travel costs involved.
During 1963, 1964, 1965, and 1966, there existed in Headquarters a Management Committee, chaired by Dr. Seamans, which consisted of the Program Directors, Heads of the functional offices, and other key officials. My notes indicate that I attended some thirty-six meetings of the Committee as a member during that period.
Placement of Retired Military Personnel
Many officers from all of the Military Services, when approaching retirement from active duty, sought my advice and assistance in exploring the possibilities of a position with NASA. In each case, I would offer to meet with the officer concerned to review his experience and capabilities with him, to inform him of the prospects of an association with this Agency, and to explain the regulations governing the employment of retirees. Where I knew of a prospective opening in NASA, either in Headquarters or at one of the Centers, for which I felt the applicant had the proper professional and personal qualifications, I would arrange an interview with the appropriate NASA official. In many cases, as a follow-up to an interview, I was asked by the NASA official concerned to review and evaluate the officer's official record, which I could do with the officer's permission. Where there was a serious interest in offering the applicant a position, I usually obtained personal and confidential assessments of the officer's service reputation from his recent active duty associates.
[323] In a number of cases, I was able to assist in fitting an applicant into a suitable billet in NASA, to the mutual benefit of the applicant and this Agency. In other instances, I steered able men to other government agencies or to private corporations when openings existed. In those cases where I saw little or no prospect of government employment, I tried to be frank in so advising the position seeker.
NASA Historical Artifacts Committee
By a memorandum dated June-19, 1964, the Administrator established a NASA Historical Artifacts Committee, chaired by Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, Director, Langley Research Center, to consider the matter of the ultimate disposition of the five manned Mercury spacecraft flight articles which were recovered after space missions and to submit recommendations.
Understandably' there was great demand for these historical articles for permanent exhibit by the Smithsonian Institution, certain of the NASA Centers, and various public and private museums and other organizations. The Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola and the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base each had put in a bid for a Mercury spacecraft, preferably one that had been flown by a Navy and an Air Force astronaut, respectively.
Recognizing that the Smithsonian should have first priority in assigning these spacecraft and appreciating the validity of the claims of manned space flight centers, particularly MSC, I felt strongly that the Navy and Air Force each should be assigned one of the Mercurys in recognition of their invaluable contributions to the manned space flight program. The Artifacts Committee shared this view, and an allocation of one of the manned flight articles each to the Navy and Air Force museums was included in the recommendations sent by the Committee to Mr. Webb.
The Administrator deferred taking action on this matter during the extended period in which some of the Mercury spacecraft were "on tour" and others which had been cannibalized to some extent were being restored to their original flight conditions.
Effective March 14, 1967, a "NASA-Smithsonian Institution Agreement Concerning the Custody and Management of NASA Historical Artifacts" was signed. It provided that all NASA artifacts, when no longer needed by NASA or other governmental agencies for technical uses, would be transferred to the Smithsonian "for the custody, protection, preservation, and display of [324] such artifacts both in the Museum and upon loan to NASA Headquarters, NASA Field Centers, other Federal agencies, museums, and other appropriate organizations."
(At this time, AURORA 7, flown by Lt. Cdr. Cdr. Scott Carpenter, USN, is assigned to the Naval Aviation Museum on loan, and GEMINI 3, flown by Maj. Virgil I. Grissom, USAF, and Lt. Cdr.. John W. Young, USN, is on loan to the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB.)
Mr. Webb was the initiator of a series of meetings between NASA management officials, headed by Mr. Webb, and members of the Atomic Energy Commission to discuss matters of mutual interest, primarily the development of nuclear space propulsion and nuclear space auxiliary power systems. I attended several of these meetings as one of the NASA delegation.
The National Aeronautics and Space Council
Defense Affairs was frequently called upon to prepare background material and talking papers in response to the agendas for Space Council meetings. On two occasions I accompanied Mr. Webb to meetings of the Council as his alternate.
The National Council of Marine Resources and Engineering Development
Defense Affairs was designated as the coordinating office for NASA support in the field of oceanography. In this capacity, we prepared papers on agenda items for Mr. Webb's reference in his official capacity as an Observer on the Council.
As the focal point for coordination with and support to the Navy in oceanography, we maintained a good liaison with the Oceanographer of the Navy. When Astronaut Scott Carpenter was lent by NASA to assist the Navy in the SEALAB Project, I was designated as Carpenter's point of contact in NASA Headquarters, and had several meetings with him.
By a directive dated May 5, 1964, the Administrator established a NASA Policy Planning Board, chaired by Dr. Floyd Thompson, then the Director of Langley Research Center. Included in the membership, in addition to myself, were the OMSF, OSSA, and OART Program Directors, the General Counsel, and the Assistant Administrator for International Affairs.
The assigned function of the Board was to discuss various policy matters placed before it by the Administrator. My notes indicate that I attended at least five meetings of the Board. While the members reached a consensus as to what NASA policy should be in a number of areas, no written recommendations were prepared by the Board for submission to the Administrator [325] since the Board was advised by the Chairman that Mr. Webb did not wish to receive formal written reports or recommendations from the Board. The only product of the Board, so far as I know, was the individual benefit that each member received from the presentations, discussions, and exchanges of views that took place in the Board meetings. It is possible that the Chairman reported orally to Mr. Webb concerning the deliberations of the Board.