1963: President Kennedy Views Flawless White Sands Missile Shots

June 6, 1963

By JIM McVICAR

06 June 1963. VIEW FIRING - President Kennedy watches one of the seven missile firings at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., Wednesday, from the official stand. Other official visitors include Costa Rican Ambassador Raymond Telles, left; Vice President Lyndon Johnson, right, and White Sands commanding general Maj. Gen. J.F. Thorlin, second from right. (AP Photo)

White Sands Missile Range, N.M. – President John F. Kennedy paid the first presidential visit in history here Wednesday, and viewed a flawless, brilliant display of America’s missile might.

The President, whose party was slightly behind schedule, arrived on a specially built helicopter apron east of the headquarters building and was greeted by 4,000 missile range military and civilian personnel.

After a brief speech, the Chief Executive boarded a shiny Presidential limousine and, with members of his official party, was driven to two launching sights on the range, where he witnessed – with obvious pleasure – seven missile and rocket firings.

President Kennedy flew to White Sands in a five-helicopter convoy from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. He was accompanied by Vice President Lyndon Johnson, many of the nation’s ranking senators and congressmen, top military brass, and a well-knows former El Pasoan, Ambassador to Costa Rica, Raymond Telles.

SHOWS ENTHUSIAM

0O}?0O??t Kennedy spoke with enthusiasm to the large crowd, which was gathered in bleachers set up in front of the landing strip. “What you do here, what progress you make, is an important contribution to the security of our country and those who depend on us,” he said. “I know you must feel a sense of pride for the part you are playing, and we are grateful to all of you.”

The President said that never before in history have so many people been dependent on one people – the United States. He told the employes he was heartened to be able to see the people who are actually working in the missile and space field, and said he envied those who every day were able to see measurable progress and advancement in weapons and space programs.

Mr. Kennedy was introduced to the White Sands crowd by the missile range commanding officer, Maj. Gen. J.F. Thorlin, following “Hail to the Chief” played by the missile range band.

His black convertible, driven behind a military police vehicle with red lights flashing to clear the way, was followed by other official cars, carrying Vice President Johnson and their dignitaries, to the launching areas.

‘WHITE HUNTERS’

The President was preceded to the first of two launch areas visited by his cigar-smoking press secretary, Pierre Salinger, who helped pass out pith helmets to members of the press, and said “Don’t you want to be white hunters?”

Salinger arrived to the missile range in an advance convoy of helicopters, which carried members of the White House Press Corps. There were nearly 200 reporters and photographers, including those from Washington.

Only the official party and the press were invited to the missile firings, which the President watched with obvious pleasure and interest. He followed the trajectory of each weapon with field glasses, and made numerous comments to those seated near him on the presidential platform.

Because of his late arrival at the range – 3:34 p.m. – the final events in the two-hour plus White Sands program for the President was cancelled. It was to have been a classified briefing on the Nike X system, an improved and modified version of the Nike Zeus.

BRIEFING CALLED OFF

It was called off because of the scheduled arrival of Mr. Kennedy in El Paso at 5:30 p.m., and approaching darkness.

However, President Kennedy had an opportunity to see all of the scheduled missile firings. They included the Honest John, Sergeant, Haw, Nike Hercules, Talos, Little John and Nike Zeus.

The weeks of advance planning for the Presidential visit were evident in the firings and advanced presentations. Officers concerned with each missile carefully explained its function and soldiers illustrated the preparatory talks by field demonstrations using dummy missiles.

Prior to the first firing, Secretary of the Army Cyrus Vance welcomed the President again to the range and said, “we take pride in the quality and performance of the men who make and fire the missiles.” His pride was well placed.

The Nike Hercules climbed to 150,000 feet above the range and made perfect contact with another missile fired down range. The Honest John, equipped with a white phosphorous warhead, made a brilliant display as it zeroed in on its target against a mountain seven miles northwest of the launch area – and even started a brush fire after impact. A helicopter landed, a Little John rocket crew jumped out, set up the launcher and rocket, and fired it at a target seven miles distant in less than five minutes.

LETTER-PERFECT

Other firings were just as letter-perfect.

At the end of the firing program, Sgt. 1.C. Harmon P. Swits and Sgt. 1.C. James W. Ray of the 3rd Battalion, 33rd Artillery, Ft. Sill, Okla., presented a scale model of the Sergeant missile to President Kennedy. The unit is first to get the Sergeant.

At the same time, Sgt. 1.C. Jimmy Grimes, chief of the firing platoon of C Battery, 2nd Missile Battalion, 44th Artillery, Ft. Sill, gave the President a plaque depicting the Pershing missile system. That unit was the first to test the Pershing.

President Kennedy also saw a non-firing display and demonstration of the Pershing, the ballistic missile which has replaced the Redstone. The Pershing will be fired at White Sands later this year.

The weather was near-perfect for the Presidential visit, save for an occasional “dust devil” on the range.

Ambassador Telles, who sat in the President’s stand, said he received a call form the White House two days ago inviting him to travel to the Southwest with the presidential party. He said he had no knowledge of an imminent settlement of the Chamizal Zone.

“That’s out of my bailiwick now,” he commented.

Gov. Jack Campbell and t. Gov. Mack Easley of New Mexico attended a press luncheon at noon at White Sands officers club, then traveled up to Holloman Air Force Base to meet the presidential party.

Sen. Edwin Mechem also attended the luncheon, then went to Holloman.

Rep. Ed Foreman, El Paso’s Congressional representative, Sen. Strom Thurmond, D-S.C., Sen. Richard Russell, D-Ga. And numerous other congressmen and senators were present for the missile range demonstrations. There were at least 20 Army general and one Navy admiral on hand for the demonstrations.