UAH Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives

Browse Items (213 total)

  • spc_nick_000105_000106.pdf

    This letter outlines the defense counsel's request for access to flassified information in reference to a previous letter received from the Office of the Commanding General, Third United States Army.
  • spc_nick_000135_000183.pdf

    Defense notes outline the charges against Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. and the accompanying specifications of each charge. It also outlines how Nickerson went about publishing the classified information through the newspaper journalist Drew Pearson. It includes an affidavit of John A. Baumann, the expected testimonies of Dr. Wernher von Braun, Dr. Charles Lundquist, Mr. Rudolph Schlidt, and Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger, correspondence related to the case, written statements, handwritten notes, and character letters.
  • spc_nick_000472_000474.pdf

    This handwritten document contains notes for a witness examination by both the prosecution and defense during the trial of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.
  • spc_nick_000320_000324.pdf

    In response to the "problem created at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency" that would eventually lead to Colonel Nickerson's referral to a court-martial, the Third Army Advisory Committee writes this letter to inform the Commanding General that one of them, Robert K. Bell, had consented to being Nickerson's attorney as they see Nickerson's actions as being in the best interest of the national defense and Army.
  • spc_nick_000632_000632.pdf

    Topics included on the front page of this newspaper include the Jupiter missile developed by the German Rocket Team and the announcement that it had circled the globe, and other various space topics.
  • 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_000484_000497.pdf

    These handwritten notes include general information from the case of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. Topics include general information and assessment related to the missile program, particularly in the transfer of the program from Army to Air Force direction. It also includes notes on the postponement of the trial.
  • spc_nick_000480_000483.pdf

    This note states that according to "certain rules of evidence" established by the Federal courts, all information that is necessary for the case must be made available "regardless of the classification of the evidence."
  • spc_nick_000297_000298.pdf

    Messick writes to encourage Nickerson in his case, stating that he is confident Nickerson did what he believed to be in the best interest of the Army.
  • spc_nick_000292_000292.pdf

    Neumann calls Nickerson case a "personal matter" and writes that he is rooting for him and that he was the greatest Battalion Commander he had ever had.
  • spc_nick_000470_000470.pdf

    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.
  • spc_nick_000548_000552.pdf

    Nickerson writes in reponse to the Bells' letter of November 26. Nickerson writes from his new location in Panama after he was sent there following his court-martial. He details life there and various aspects of his positions. He expresses that he wishes the Bells would visit. In his postscript, Nickerson explains why he has not written for so long.
  • 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_000380_000380.pdf

    Webster writes to wish Bell and Nickerson good luck in the case and send copies of letters that may have information useful to the defense of Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000565_000565.pdf

    Nichols writes regarding a letter he received from Lt. Col. Barry that may be of some interest to Bell and the Nickerson case.
  • spc_nick_000471_000471.pdf

    This handwritten note states that Colonel Nickerson "has pleaded guilty." It also notes that there are stipulations in the charges that are duplicates. It also contains the names of various people involved with the case including Dr. Stuhlinger, Dr. von Braun and General Pickering.
  • spc_nick_000475_000475.pdf

    This handwritten note states that "he" is unable to inform the court-martial of the "essential components" of the defense without disclosing top secret information.
  • spc_nick_000526_000529.pdf

    Handwritten notes regarding the Nickerson case. The author is unknown.
  • spc_nick_000530_000531.pdf

    Handwritten notes regarding the Nickerson case. These include lists of various aspects related to Nickerson and other witnesses including Dr. von Braun and Dr. Stuhlinger.
  • spc_nick_000536_000536.pdf

    Various handwritten notes on aspects of the Nickerson trial including published news articles, the Jupiter missile and army ballistic missile agency, and statements made by Dr. von Braun.
  • spc_nick_000609_000609.pdf

    This is a copy of an index that contains entries related to Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. and his court martial. The index contains entries that are found in the Army Navy Register and the Army Navy Journal.
  • spc_nick_000100_000104.pdf

    In this letter, Bell explains that the defense counsel still has not received approval for top secret security clearance, necessary to "properly defend the accused." Bell states that while the defense counsel would prefer not to request a delay of the proceedings, if the clearance is not granted, they may have no choice but to do so. The documents also include the original draft of the letter.
  • spc_nick_00418_000420.pdf

    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.
  • spc_nick_000642_000646.pdf

    Richardson writes to the Chief of Manpower prior to Nickerson's letter to the Chief of Manpower of July 25. Richardson states that the orders that Nickerson is not to use duty time to modify the sentence imposed upon him or for appeal is inappropriate and "perhaps illegal". He also states that Nickerson's assignment to the ABMA is unfair and, like Nickerson, requests that he be re-assigned to Redstone Arsenal "until all legal proceedings in this case are complete."
  • 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_000046_000055.pdf

    These drafts of the letter and final letter to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence requesting highly classified information to be made available to the Court in order to "insure a proper defense" in the Nickerson case. These documents also include a letter from Bell to Ray H. Jenkins asking him to read the draft of the letter before Bell sends it and also asks about traveling to Washington the following week.
  • 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."
  • spc_nick_000099_000099.pdf

    In response to Bell's May 8th letter, McDonald informs Bell that Mr. Wiltsie will proceed as instructed regarding the reponse to the inquiry. He also expresses that he and his wife are excited to have Bell and his wife visit them.
  • spc_nick_000325_000325.pdf

    Pickering writes a general letter about Colonel John c. Nickerson, Jr.'s character, stating that Nickerson was a man of "sterling character" and an "intelligent and highly valuable officer."
  • spc_nick_000422_000427.pdf

    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.
  • 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_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_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_000299_000300.pdf

    "Curly" writes in support of Nickerson and states that while someone else will have to decide if what he did was right or wrong, he "might be one of the best qualified people alive to testify in your behalf." The second half of the letter is handwritten and discusses personal events in "Curly's" life such as a new grandson and a family member in the Navy.
  • spc_nick_000291_000291.pdf

    Works expresses sympathy toward Nickerson and the situation he is in asking, "�what's happening to the Army?" Works offers a character witness or any deposition or testimony that would help his case.
  • spc_nick_000302_000302.pdf

    Sedrel writes on behalf of Nickerson's character, though "unacquainted with the details of this particular case."
  • spc_nick_000303_000304.pdf

    Moriarty offers his services as a witness during Nickerson's trial and why what he has to offer would be to their "mutual benefit." He encloses with the letter an outline of a complaint that may be beneficial to Nickerson's case as well as his own.
  • spc_nick_000314_000314.pdf

    Sparkman thanks Nickerson for sending a booklet he had requested. He also requests Nickerson to send information on a long range flight conducted by ABMA directly to Erik Bergaust for an interview Bergaust did on Sparkman.
  • spc_nick_000339_000340.pdf

    Roberts writes to Nickerson about his case, expressing interest and stating that by knowing Nickerson's relatives, he is sure Nickerson is anything but disloyal. Roberts also writes that he will be in Huntsville sometime and hopes to arrange to talk with Nickerson.
  • spc_nick_000301_000301.pdf

    Mayor Wiltsie writes to Nickerson in his defense, asking if he can be of any help in the trial such as testifying or giving a character witness.
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