november january united_states_army officer served world war later director military applications graduate west_point studied oxford mit earned master science degree civil engineering assigned july chief movements branch remaining role returned served operations plans division chosen rank brigadier general took pragmatic approach handling issue proper agency hold custody nuclear weapons encouraged supported development weapons transferred united_states_air_force july appointed director nuclear applications baltimore maryland subsequently promoted major general deputy commander retiring air_force head non profit research organization created provide advice support scientific technological research efforts formed universities vice president industrial governmental relations mit capacity originated proposal basis new space agency eventually chairman chairman early life career born chatham louisiana november attended georgia entering west point july commissioned second lieutenant graduation august ranking 19th class departed england studied oxford promoted lieutenant august awarded bachelor_of_arts degree oxford returning united_states posted 8th engineers fort texas troop commander june student graduated master science degree civil engineering august student officer virginia june reported mississippi assistant project engineer world war reported georgia company commander 21st engineers october promoted captain september serving adjutant 20th engineers fort temporarily commanded regiment battalions assuming command alabama later year attended promoted major february posted assistant chief types branch march march promotion lieutenant colonel october chief construction branch march september october chief promoted colonel december july chief movements branch remaining role services awarded legion merit december british government honorary commander order british empire march french government awarded silver star january legion honor october june returned duty member policy section strategy assistant section chief september staff officer strategy february august chief service awarded oak leaf cluster legion merit april cold war point career early new exciting opportunity opened atomic energy act created oversee research development nuclear power nuclear weapons act created statutory position inside called director military applications commissioners envisaged staff post responsible military planning policy law director military applications serving armed forces officer post wartime commander brigadier general nominee commissioners different ideas seen closely identified wartime manhattan_project opinions commissioners staff line position strong disagreement commissioners issue agency hold custody nuclear weapons accordingly commissioners decided find candidate commissioners asked head operations chief staff army general army secretary war willing release commissioners selected job came promotion brigadier general commissioners got kind officer wanted willing accept post staff job took pragmatic approach custody issue like military officers convinced men use nuclear weapons battle needed experience proper maintenance storage handling aware sensitivity issue custody congress assigned continue press changes law accepted situation best working existing framework involved discussions possibility developing weapons known super early advocate super promised yields range directed proceed development weapons debate merits super pitted united_states_air_force services wanted small tactical weapons concurrently technical debate scientists like feasibility super guarantee work processes involved reactions fully understood ultimately apparent super design work development design provided new path high yield weapons services director military applications awarded later life transferred united_states_air_force july leaving august special assistant deputy chief staff january appointed director nuclear applications baltimore maryland subsequently promoted major general deputy commander called testify security hearing like witnesses testified loyal men disagreed merits super saw opposition retired air_force head non profit research organization provide advice support scientific technological research efforts formed universities vice president industrial governmental relations mit originated proposal basis new space agency eventually governor massachusetts appointed chairman october appointed chairman salary allow concentrate new position resigned company post mit attended board meeting dinner jacket having flown los_angeles speaking engagement head quasi government organization employ company resources carry policies congress president able persuade congress plans domestic satellite network consult television networks retired chairman ill health remained director died winter home south_carolina january buried arlington national cemetery survived wife eleanor née son major stationed fort alabama daughter living fort campbell kentucky
James McCormack