Dr. John L. McDaniel
Dr. John L. McDaniel was born in Guin, Alabama on 13 September 1918. He graduated with honors from Berry College, Mt. Berry, Ga., and later received a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Alabama, Doctor of Science degree from Auburn University, and a Doctor of Laws degree from Athens State College. He retired in September 1977 as the Deputy and Technical Director, Research and Development Command after 35 years. In the forefront of Army missile research and development for almost two decades, he was an Army civilian employee from 1942 to 1977 except for two years in the Navy during World War II.
McDaniel was personally involved in the pioneering engineering work on many of the Army's early missile and rocket systems. He later established a national reputation as a manager of massive and complex research and development programs.
When the Von Braun team and much of the Army's missile research and development talent shifted to NASA management in 1960 by Presidential order, Dr. McDaniel directed the rebuilding of an R&D team. His many personal contributions to national defense brought him many honors including the highest that can be awarded by the Secretary of Defense, the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.
At the time of his retirement, McDaniel was Redstone's top ranking civilian. He became deputy of the Missile Research and Development Command (MRDEC) in January 1977 when MICOM was split into two commands. Before that he had been Director of the Missile Research, Development and Engineering Laboratories of the Army Missile Command for many years.
McDaniel in a 1950 photo
He was faculty member of the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the Florida Institute of Technology in Huntsville, serving as an advisor to the University of Tennessee Space Institute, Auburn and Athens State.
Dr. McDaniel died on 28 June 1988.