UAH Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives

Browse Items (213 total)

  • spc_nick_000331_000331.pdf

    Bell writes to thank Willis for his support in the Nickerson case.
  • spc_nick_000333_000334.pdf

    L. C. Walker, Nickerson's uncle by marriage, asks Bell if he and another uncle by marriage could be permitted to sit in on the hearing. Bell responds that they will have seating space for Walker and Mr. Scott.
  • spc_nick_000335_000337.pdf

    Cox writes to Bell asking if he could have the priviledge of reporting Nickerson's case, "unless other arrangements have been made." Cox includes his previous experience with court-martials. Bell responds by explaining that the defense counsel has little influence in the matters of appointing a court reporter.
  • spc_nick_000341_000341_000375_000375.pdf

    Bell writes to Selden in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Selden replies stating he will pass the information "if the opportunity present[s] itself."
  • spc_nick_000362_000362_000367_000367.pdf

    Bell writes to Sparkman in Washinton D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Sparkman thanks Bell for his letter from May 8 and responds that he has already been "dropping some suggestions" regarding Bell's hope to give Nickerson a non-judicial punishment rather than trial by court-martial.
  • spc_nick_000363_000363_000366_000366.pdf

    Bell writes to Hill in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Hill responds by thanking Bell for the letter and will do anything to help "along the lines of your suggestion."
  • spc_nick_000364_000364_000372_000372.pdf

    Bell writes to Elliott in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Marlowe writes to Bell on behalf of Congressman Elliott who is out of town and will respond to Bell's May 8 letter upon his return.
  • spc_nick_000365_000365_000371_000371.pdf

    Bell writes to Huddleston in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Huddleston responds stating his will "make a discreet request" to Secretary Brucker and General Maxwell.
  • spc_nick_000368_000368_000373_000373.pdf

    Bell writes to Grant in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Grant responds with interest and states that it looks as though the Army may "drop the Colonel Nickerson case by non-judicial punishment."
  • spc_nick_000369_000369_000374_000374.pdf

    Bell writes to Roberts in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Roberts responds that he has done everything he could on the matter.
  • spc_nick_000370_000370.pdf

    Bell writes to Bob Jones in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment.
  • spc_nick_000387_000388.pdf

    Green writes to Bell saying he saw him on the news following the Nickerson case and he hopes the results were to his satisfaction. Bell writes to Green in response saying he is pleased at the outcome of Nickerson's trial and asks Green to visit him if he is ever in North Alabama.
  • spc_nick_000389_000390.pdf

    Pritchard writes to Bell, sending a check for Colonel Nickerson to be used for any fines that would be imposed or for the expense of the defense of Nickerson. Bell responds with his sincere thanks and writes that he has given the check to Colonel Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000397_000399.pdf

    Ryan writes that he recently saw a picture of Bell in the New York Herald Tribune with Colonel Nickerson. He includes personal details of his life stating he remarried and recently took a trip to Europe. He reminisces of a Caribbean trip they took together a year before his first wife passed away. Ryan also congratulates Bell on the "wonderful result" of the trial. Bell responds, continuing to reminisce on the same Caribbean trip and states he hopes to travel out West and visit with Ryan while there. He concludes by thanking Ryan for the letter.
  • spc_nick_000400_000401.pdf

    Bell apologizes for being "a very poor correspondent" and thanks Jenkins for his letters. He writes that he is "having a terrific time with John Nickerson in trying to keep his mouth closed and to make him forget the word 'appeal'. Bell includes personal details of his life after the trial and concludes the letter by thanking Jenkins again for his friendship.
  • spc_nick_000402_000403.pdf

    Lucas writes to Bell after the Nickerson case and encloses a picture that was requested by Bell. He mentions in closing that Jenkins informed him he will recommend against an appeal. Bell thanks Lucas for the picture and writes he is happy to hear Jenkins recommends against appeal as Bell is having a difficult time keeping Nickerson's "big mouth shut and to forget the word 'appeal'.
  • spc_nick_000553_000553.pdf

    Bell writes in response to a recent letter from Nickerson. Bell details an upcoming trip to visit the Nickersons in Panama and state that they are "looking forward to seeing you."
  • spc_nick_000640_000641.pdf

    Bell writes to the Nickersons who now live in Panama on a two-year assignment. Bell updates Nickerson on events that happened since the last time he wrote. He details the outrage directed towards Charles Wilson, the Secretary of Defense. He states that he is saving "pertinent clippings from several newspapers" to send to Nickerson to help provide background to the latest events. Bell writes of many people who are advocating for Nickerson's return and vindication.
  • spc_nick_000650_000654.pdf

    Several letters between Bell and Jenkins detail various things from their daily lives, humorous exchanges, the upcoming Tennessee-Georgia Tech football game they are gathering for, and a potential new case Jenkins has regarding workplace injuries and Bell's advice regarding the matter. Bell also includes a few updates on articles that have been published on the vindication of Colonel John Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000558_000558.pdf

    This handwritten letter to Drew Pearson from Robert K. Bell details Colonel Nickerson's dealings with Pearson and the "Considerations on the Wilson Memorandum" that contained classified information.
  • spc_nick_000188_000190_000285_000286.pdf

    Written testimony of Erik Bergaust, managing editor of Missiles and Rockets Magazine, as presented if he were "present in court". Signed by the defense counsel, the accused, and the trial counsel.
  • spc_nick_000578_000586.pdf

    These letters to David Bowman, reporter and editorial writer, all pertain to Bowman's story about Colonel John Nickerson. The first letter includes foot notes and states that he sent a copy of the story to a Washington Post writer. The second letter contains additional information relating to the missile program that may be helpful for the story and a diagram of the original prototype for the Explorer I earth satellite. This set of letters also includes the original letter from David Bowman to Brig. Gen. Harold W. Nelson in which Bowman states he finally photocopied the published transcripts of Colonel Nickerson's court martial. Nelson's reponse follows thanking Bowman for sending the series on Colonel Nickerson. The final letter from Colonel Thomas W. Sweeney includes a working bibliography on the Nickerson case and invites him to visit the Military History Institute.
  • spc_nick_000587_000597.pdf

    Bowman writes to the U.S. Army Judiciary Clerk of Court Office to request a copy of the transcript of the Nickerson court martial proceedings. Mary B. Dennis, Deputy Clerk of Court responds that a large portion is classified and asks if he wants that material reviewed towards declassification though it would be a lengthy process. She also guides him towards other "publicably available documents" regarding the case. The following letters from Dennis regards the review of the classified transcripts of the Nickerson case and more details about the record of the trial. Bowman's second letter includes a check to pay for the transcripts and the review of the classified material. Dennis writes several more letters regarding more classified prosection exhibits and that Bowman's request to review the classified material has been denied. The final letter is the memo that states that the review has been denied from Deputy Director Robert J. Monahan.
  • spc_nick_000610_000610.pdf

    Bowman writes to Pfeifer about a "two-pager" that he wrote, detailing its contents. He also includes several other of his resume highlights including four novels, playscripts, and other things he has written. Bowman also includes that he is the president of the Tallulah Bankhead Society, a society that honors and celebrates a 1930s actress from Alabama. Bowman is appealing to Pfeifer, a creative film manager, about his recent work on the Nickerson case.
  • spc_nick_000305_000311.pdf

    Brownlow writes to give Nickerson the name of someone that would be interested in his case, Ray Jenkins, who would eventually join Nickerson's defense counsel with Robert K. Bell, along with two others. Nickerson responds, thanking Brownlow for the information. He expresses concern over financially securing Jenkins for his defense but hopes that Brownlow could still arrange a meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee. The third letter is a rough draft of Nickerson's response. Brownlow's second letter responds that she was able to get in touch with Ray Jenkins and left him with materials to read on Nickerson's case. Brownlow states she would get back to Nickerson as soon as he says "yes".
  • spc_nick_000443_000445.pdf

    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.
  • spc_nick_000598_000602.pdf

    A project of the U.S. Army Military History Institute, this contains the interview of Dr. John L. McDaniel by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph W. Camp, Jr. from 1985. The interview is about the US Army's first satellite into space. McDaniel brings up the case of Colonel Nickerson relative to the interview. This document contains only the portion of the interview that mentions Colonel Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000571_000574.pdf

    This statement insists the charges and specifications against Colonel Nickerson "greatly enlarge on any activities or indiscretion that the Colonel might possibly have committed." The counsel states the Nickerson was simply acting out of enthusiasm to serve the Army. It states that Colonel Charles Zimmer and 1st Lt. Lewis Cole have been assigned to Nickerson's defense.
  • spc_nick_000038_000038.pdf

    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.
  • spc_nick_000217_000219.pdf

    This letter is in response to Bell's letter of March 22, 1957 to the Commanding General, Third United States Army. Cordes confirms the reception of Bell's request for the setting of the trial during the week of May 13-17, 1957 and states that Major General Crump Garvin has postponed it to May 15, 1957.
  • spc_nick_000237_000237.pdf

    In response to Jenkin's request for a postponement of the trial of Colonel Nickerson, Cordes writes that the court will assemble on June 25, 1957 for the trial as the members of the court and court reporter have been granted top secret information neccesary for the case.
  • spc_nick_000238_000239.pdf

    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.
  • spc_nick_000240_000240_000242_000242.pdf

    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.
  • spc_nick_000379_000379.pdf

    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.
  • spc_nick_000467_000469.pdf

    Gibson writes in reference to Bell's defense of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. Gibson mentions comparable cases and his experience with similar situations.
  • spc_nick_000045_000045.pdf

    In this transcript of the phone message to Bell from Walter Harper of Reynolds Metals, Bell is informed that Mr. Hunt will be arriving the following day and will try to land at the air strip at Redstone Arsenal. This information was asked to be passed on to Colonel Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000296_000296.pdf

    Harrison writes of Nickerson's character throughout the letter. He states that if he ever returned to the active list, he would try to obtain "his assignment to my command."
  • spc_nick_000249_000255.pdf

    This order outlines the charges brought against Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. and the specifications that come with each charge. It also details how Nickerson pled and the sentence associated with the charges. Nickerson was suspended from rank for one year, charged $1,500 per month for fifteen months, and was to be reprimanded. The sentence was adjudged on June 29, 1957.
  • spc_nick_000542_000544.pdf

    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."
  • spc_nick_000338_000338.pdf

    This letter is written to testify of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.'s character. Hines writes that Nickerson showed himself to be "completely trustworth, security conscious, and loyal at all times."
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