John J. Williams, Director, Spacecraft Operations, John F. Kennedy Space Center, is responsible to the Director of Launch Operations for the management and technical integration of KSC operations related to preparation, checkout and flight readiness of manned spacecraft.

Since joining the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in 1959, Mr. Williams was the Head of Capsule Systems Branch during the Mercury Program and was the Assistant Manager for Gemini, MSC Florida Operations until he was moved to his current position in December 1964.

From 1954 to 1959 he was employed by the U.S. Air Force as an electronic engineer in the Directorate of Test Engineering, Air Force Missile Test Center, Florida. He was responsible for the evaluation of various missile prelaunch and flight tests.

From 1951 to 1954 Mr. Williams was employed as an electronic engineer in the Technical Systems Laboratory, Air Force Missile Test Center, Fla., where he was engaged in ground instrumentation and antenna fabrication and testing.

Mr. Williams was employed as an electronic engieer by the U.S. Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. He engaged in the development of a cooling system for electronic devices at extremely high altitudes and in the miniaturization of airborne power supplies.

Mr. Williams, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, graduated from high school in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an electronic technician and upon his discharge from service entered Louisiana State University. He graduated in 1949, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Mr. Williams and his organization won many honors, receiving the Group Achievement Award in 1966 for contribution to the success of the Gemini VII/VI Launch Operations and to the success of Project Gemini. In 1966 Dr. Seamans presented him with the Outstanding Leadership medal for his work in Manned Space Programs.

He now lives in Eau Gallie, Florida, with his wife, Peggy; daughters, Barbara and Jo Ann; and son Michael.

Updated February 3, 2003
Steve Garber, NASA History Web Curator
For further information E-mail histinfo@hq.nasa.gov