Career
In 1957 he was the Launch and Flight Weather Officer for the first United States, intercontinental missile (Snark). In 1958, as the Launch Weather Officer for Explorer 1, the first United States. satellite, he delayed America"s entry into the space race for two days with his correct forecasts of extreme upper air wind shear. On the third day, January 31, his forecast was for the jet stream to move far enough away from Cape Canaveral for the upper air winds to allow an evening launch.
Doctor Kurt Debus, the launch director, accepted this forecast and ordered the missile to be fueled.
At about 10:48 pm, Explorer 1 was successfully launched. Because of his participation in this competition he was commissioned an Honorary Kentucky Colonel in 1967 by Governor Edward Breathitt.
In 1992 he saved lives by discovering radioactive depleted uranium was used in the manufacture of frizzens used in muzzle-loading flintlock rifles. He plays a recurring role of Pappy 5X in the book and webisode series the Zombie Cause.
