Acknowledgments 



On my office door is a cartoon depicting a writer being told by a 

 supervisor: "On first reading, Ken, I'd say cut back on the prickling 

 insights and beef up the anecdotes." 



In compiling this 20-year account of the origins and activities of 

 the committee, we have been very fortunate to have available the 

 personalized comments and recollections of many of the participants 

 in these dramatic events. This has made it possible to bring the history 

 alive with anecdotal material. 



Chairmen Olin E. Teague and Don Fuqua, as well as executive 

 directors Charles A. Mosher and Col. Harold A. Gould have insisted 

 that this history be objective and nonpartisan, maintain professional 

 standards, and pull no punches. Mr. Mosher has been my severest critic, 

 while at the same time supplying numerous useful editorial suggestions 

 and support. At no time has he attempted to change or soften any of my 

 critical judgments on events involving the committee. 



Present and former members of the committee and staff, as well 

 as agency officials and observers, have enriched the history through 

 letters and interviews. 



The interviews were tape recorded by Bonnie Seefeldt, who also 

 contributed invaluable assistance in research, editing, and helping 

 to organize the final product. In fact, it would have been impossible to 

 complete this work without the careful groundwork and consistently 

 high-caliber input which she provided. 



During the summer of 1978, a number of interns helped with the 

 typing and documentary research, including David Orleans, Kathleen 

 Miller, Michael Gentry, Laura Bartlett and F. Marion Harrelson. In 

 the latter stages, valuable typing assistance was received from 

 Kimberley Woodruff. We were also fortunate to draw on staff assistance 

 from Melinda Bradley, Gail Mathias, Peggy Witzel, Julie Fisher, 

 Lillian Tnppett, Suzanne Gibson, Carol Rodgers, April Applegatc, 

 Mary Bly, Tim Lockett, Mary C. Jatkowski, and Michael C. Helman- 

 toler, as w^ell as advice from Herbert Wadsworth, Jr. 



In the early stages of this effort, John L. Swigert, Jr., executive 

 director of the committee, 1973-77, and Gordon L. Harris, former 

 public affairs director of the Kennedy Space Center, werj of great help. 

 In supplying needed documentary materials, we are grateful for the 

 cheerful cooperation of Dr. Monte D. Wright, Carrie E. Karegeannes 

 and especially Lee D. Saegesser of the NASA History Office. At the 



