Samuel C. Phillips

• 1. Childhood In The West

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  Samuel Cochran Phillips entered the world on the 19th of February 1921 in Springerville, Arizona. His father worked as an electrician while his mother taught school at a local institution. He grew up as the oldest of six children with three brothers and two sisters. Public schools in Denver and Cheyenne shaped his early education before he graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1938. An amateur radio license sparked his interest in electricity and aviation equipment. A Civil Aeronautics Authority radio station sat near his high school where he learned about radio operations. Summer breaks brought him to earn a private pilot license during 1941. He secured a scholarship to attend the University of Wyoming for electrical engineering studies. Kappa Sigma fraternity became part of his college experience there.

• 2. Wings Over Europe

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  World War II began while Phillips was still studying at the University of Wyoming. He received a commission as a second lieutenant in the infantry through Reserve Officers Training Corps. June 1942 marked his entry into active military service at Fort Benning, Georgia. Infantry officer training gave way to flying school where he earned his pilot wings. August 1942 saw his marriage to Betty Anne Brown at Fort Benning. They would have three daughters named Dana, Janie, and Kathleen. Basic flight training occurred in PT-17 biplanes by civilian instructors at Rankin Field in Tulare, California. Advanced training followed at Lemoore Army Airfield in PT-15 biplanes. Williams Army Airfield in Arizona provided P-322 training before assignment to the 364th Fighter Group. The group operated from Glendale Airport, Van Nuys Airport, Ontario Army Airfield, and Santa Maria Army Air Field in California. RAF Honington served as their base in the United Kingdom under the Eighth Air Force. Summer 1944 brought conversion to North American P-51 Mustang aircraft for escort missions. Two combat tours in the European Theater earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross with an oak leaf cluster. Seven oak leaf clusters adorned his Air Medal alongside the French Croix de Guerre.

• 3. Minuteman And Range

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  Phillips returned to England in 1956 to serve with the 7th Air Division of the Strategic Air Command. He negotiated agreements with the United Kingdom regarding Thor nuclear-armed intermediate-range ballistic missiles. This work earned him the Legion of Merit award. January 1958 found him assigned to the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division in Los Angeles, California. His role as Director of the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile program began then. April 1961 marked his promotion to brigadier general making him the youngest general officer in US armed forces at that time. July 1960 saw Phillips freeze the design of Minuteman despite knowing its range fell short of requirements. Six months to a year of further development could have achieved full range specifications. He chose meeting schedule over meeting specification requirements. First Minuteman missiles deployed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana during 1962. Field maintenance points installed on missiles based on B-52 experience rather than original design. Increased range versions equipped second Minuteman wings by later dates.

• 4. Apollo Management Overhaul

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  George E. Mueller became NASA's incoming Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight in 1963. Large cost overruns and scheduling slippages threatened Apollo goals of landing men on the Moon by decade end. Congress accepted high costs but viewed repeated funding requests with disapproval due to poor forecasting. Mueller recognized Phillips managed Minuteman schedules and costs effectively though they had not worked together directly. December 1963 accomplished Phillips assignment to NASA as director of the Apollo program. Air Force personnel filled project management positions within Office of Manned Space Flight. November 1964 brought issuance of Apollo Configuration Management Manual largely copied from Air Force Systems Command manual. Daily reports sent to headquarters kept by central control room modeled after Minuteman operations. November 1965 saw Phillips personally take tiger team to North American Aviation in Downey, California. Problems included delays, quality shortfalls, and cost overruns at prime contractor facilities. December 1965 memo to NAA president Lee Atwood outlined findings and recommended fixes. February 1967 marked replacement of Thomas J. Kelly as Grumman project manager by George F. Titterton. the 27th of January 1967 Apollo 1 fire killed three astronauts during ground test before first manned mission. Congressional investigation uncovered existence of what became known as the Phillips Report. September 1967 established safety offices at every NASA field center.

• 5. Intelligence And Space Command

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  September 1969 found Phillips assuming command of Space and Missile Systems Organization under Air Force Systems Command in Los Angeles. August 1972 appointment made him seventh Director of National Security Agency and Chief of Central Security Service. Two years in those positions led to assignment as commander of Air Force Systems Command at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. August 1973 began his tenure there until retirement from Air Force in 1975 as a general. July 1969 marked promotion to lieutenant general during NASA service. November 1965 saw Wernher von Braun praise Phillips as most responsible for pulling Apollo pieces together at small dinner party before Apollo 10 launch. May 1969 occurred just before that same Apollo 10 launch event. July 1969 achieved program's manned landing goal with Apollo 11 mission. Phillips announced intention to leave NASA and return to Air Force duty following success. February 1964 marked promotion to major general rank within Air Force structure.

• 6. Legacy And Final Years

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  James C. Fletcher asked Phillips to lead team reporting on NASA management after 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Findings showed decay since Project Apollo days with centers asserting independence. Recommendations included strengthening headquarters control placing both Space Shuttle and Space Station Freedom under single manager. the 31st of January 1990 found Phillips dying of cancer in Palos Verdes, California. Burial took place in United States Air Force Academy Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado with military honors. Papers now reside in Library of Congress collection. September 1969 awarded Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for NASA service. July 1972 brought second award for SAMSO command role. Two NASA Distinguished Service Medals received in 1968 and 1969 for Apollo leadership. June 1963 granted honorary LL.D degree from University of Wyoming. the 26th of September 1971 awarded Smithsonian Institution Langley Gold Medal for contributions to Apollo Program from 1964 to 1969. April 1971 election placed him as member of National Academy of Engineering. General Thomas D. White U.S. Air Force Space Trophy received the 11th of September 1972. Flying Tiger Pilot Trophy awarded by American Volunteer Group on the 7th of July 1973.