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Henry B. Stelling Jr.
Official portrait
Nickname(s)Hank
Born(1924-07-09)July 9, 1924
South San Francisco, California, U.S.
DiedSeptember 20, 2021(2021-09-20) (aged 97)
Costa Mesa, California, U.S.
Place of burial
Riverside National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Air Force
Years of service1948–1980
Rank Major general
Commands
Battles / wars
Awards
Other work
  • Aerospace executive

Henry Barthold Stelling Jr. (July 9, 1924 – September 20, 2021) was a United States Army major general who served as Vice Commander of the Electronic Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command from 1978 to 1980. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1948. Stelling died in Costa Mesa, California on September 20, 2021 at the age of 97.

Early life and education

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Stelling was born in South San Francisco, California on July 9, 1924[1] to Henry Barthold Stelling and Ruth Young Stelling.[2] He graduated from Balboa High School in January 1942 and continued his education at the School of Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. In June 1944, Stelling entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated in June 1948 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering. Later in his career, he earned a master of science degree in international affairs from The George Washington University. In addition, Stelling graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College.[1]

Career

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Military career

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While attending college at Berkeley, Stelling joined the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps. In June 1943, he was called to active duty and attended basic training at the Armored Force School, located at the time in Fort Knox, Kentucky, then received a congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Stelling graduated from USMA in June 1948 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering and a second lieutenant’s commission in the United States Air Force.[3]: 3592–3 

Special weapons

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Stelling received additional training at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas followed by Nuclear Weapons School at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. In 1949, Stelling was assigned to the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project at Sandia Base, New Mexico, where he worked as an electronics supervisor in the first Air Force atomic weapon assembly organization. He was also tasked as a technical writer and operations staff officer at Headquarters Field Command.[1]

In January 1953, Stelling moved to Langley, Virginia, where he was assigned to the Directorate of Special Weapons at the headquarters for Tactical Air Command. His organizational abilities were recognized by his superiors with a commendation for his work that simplified support for atomic weapons across entire theaters of operations.[3]: 3593 

Strategic Air Command

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Stelling's next assignment was bombardier/navigator in the Boeing B-47 Stratojet bomber. In June 1954, Stelling attended navigation training at Ellington Air Force Base in Texas followed by bombardier training at Mather Air Force Base, California. After graduation in November 1955, he received orders to the 384th bombardment wing—a Strategic Air Command (SAC) unit located at Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. Stelling served six years with the 384th and was a member of the flight crew that in November 1957 won SAC's annual bombing and navigation competition.[1] For his actions during this event, Stelling was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He considered winning this contest one of his most significant accomplishments.[4]

Space systems

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After graduating from the Armed Forces Staff College in 1962, Stelling's career changed from aircraft to spacecraft with roles in development and acquisition for the USAF's Special Project Office located at the Space Systems Division (SSD) in Los Angeles, California. After completing studies in engineering management, he returned to SSD which had been renamed the Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO). From 1962 to 1972, Stelling served in increasingly responsible roles including Atlas/Agena launch vehicle project officer, mission payload project officer, chief of an engineering division responsible for developing two large space systems, program director of a large space system, and deputy for five space programs including two large automatic data processing facilities.[1]

Some of the programs on which Stelling worked, including launch operations for National Reconnaissance Office payloads,[5]: 199  were highly classified at the time, but some aspects have been declassified over the years. As a representative of the Secretary of the Air Force Special Projects (SAF/SP) office, he attended the Land Panel meeting on June 11, 1971. Chaired by Dr. Edwin H. Land, co-founder of the Polaroid Corporation, this panel reviewed requirements and technical issues with the KH-7 Gambit photographic reconnaissance satellite.[6]

In September 1972, Colonel Stelling was assigned as the Director of Space in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development. Stelling was a proponent of space defense and sought to transition existing satellite reconnaissance and survivability programs beyond the research phase with the creation of a System Program Office (SPO) dedicated to coordinating and managing them. The Air Force rejected this proposal, but by 1976, the objection was overruled by the president of the United States, and the Space Defense SPO was finally established.[7]

Space Shuttle
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During the development of the NASA Space Shuttle, Stelling helped represent the interests of the Department of Defense.[4] The shuttle was approved in January 1972 with key design choices and selection of major contractors completed by August.[8]: 172  During a March 1973 presentation before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight, Stelling described capabilities that could reduce costs for both the military and NASA.[9]: 473–5  Two promising programs that he discussed at this meeting, the shuttle facility at Vandenberg Air Force Base and a NASA space tug,[10] would not survive the Challenger accident and budget cuts that followed.[11][12]

  • approved in January 1972.
  • major design and contractor decisions for the space shuttle were completed by August 1972.
  • Stelling represented the Department of Defense during the development of the NASA Space Shuttle[4]
  • On March 13, 1973, Colonel Stelling spoke before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight.[9]: 473  He discussed opportunites that could benefit all users of the Shuttle.
  • On July 21, 1975, Stelling attended a meeting at the White House where he represented the DOD as one of the potential users of the Space Shuttle.[13]: Tab D, Participants 
    • DOD was to design and develop the upper stage of the shuttle to be used by all the users. We are concerned that DOD meet the requirements of all the users of the upper stage.[13]: 1 
Global Positioning System
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  • Approved by US in 1973.
  • Stelling also supported the Global Positioning System.[4]
  • Stelling obtained DoD acquisition approval and congressional funding for the Global Positioning System (GPS).[4]
  • Colonel Brad Parkinson, GPS program manager, gave General Stelling credit for coining the name “Global Positioning System” to recognize the many ways GPS technology could be applied beyond navigation.[14]
  • At some point I worked with a one-star general by the name of Hank Stehling, who was the Director of Space in the Pentagon, and I needed his support. I was in his office one day and he said, “Brad, you know I’ve been thinking about this system that you’re advocating. I think it’s more than navigation. I think it’s positioning, and I think it’s around the whole world, and I think we should call it the Global Positioning System.” Being a good marketing person at the time, I said, “Excellent idea,” and that was done.[15]
  • Fortunately, there were some key supporters of GPS who overcame that resistance. They were affectionately called the GPS Mafia. ... Other members of the GPS Mafia were Lt. Col. Paul Martin (the original GPS Program Element Monitor), Brig. Gen. Hank Stelling (RDS in Pentagon), and Cols. Brent Brentnall and Emmitt DeAvies (DDR&E representatives).[16]

More Space Stuff

  • Colonel Stelling (Director of Space Headquarters, USAF, Washington, D.C.) was the Military Space Activities session chairman for the 1973 (10th) Technology Today and Tomorrow of The Space Congress Conference.[17]
  • Stelling was promoted to brigadier general in 1973.[3]: 3593 
  • I was the head of the Air Staff Directorate of Space (RDS) from 1972 to 1976. AF Magazine
  • In September 1976, he was assigned as Vice Commander of the Electronic Systems Division, Air Force Systems Command, with headquarters at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.[1]
  • According to former deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Doctor F. Robert "Bob" Naka, Stelling filled one of the NRO senior positions.[18]: 42 
  • On April 14, 1977, he was presented the Distinguished Service Medal by Lieutenant General Wilbur L. Creech.[19]: 40 
  • On March 3, 1980, Brigadier General C. Truman Spangrud relieved Stelling as Vice Commander of ESD. [19]: 50 
  • Retired on May 1,1980.[1]

Civilian career

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  • Vice President Requirements Analyses and Program, Rockwell International Corporation, Anaheim, CA.[20]: 6 
  • Corporate VP Security, Rockwell International, Apr 1980 - Mar 199111 years, Inglewood, CA.(Linkedin)
  • Participated in Arms Control in Space workshop on January 30-31, 1984.[21]

Later years

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  • The declassification of Gambit and Hexagon was publicly announced on September 17, 2011.[22]
  • Gambit was operational from 1963 to 1984.[23]: vii 
Stelling (second from left) participates in a SAFSP legacy panel in 2012
  • In June 2011, the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (DNRO), Bruce Carlson, officially declassified the programs. Three months later, he hosted a public announcement and display of select program artifacts on 17 September at the Udvar-Hazy Annex of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. With this event, the Gambit and Hexagon stories began to be told publicly. [23]: vi–vii 
  • Members of the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Special Projects Alumni Association participate in a legacy panel here, Dec. 3, 2012. The SAFSP Legacy Panel provides a medium through which senior experts from SAFSP, NRO, and other organizations share their knowledge. In the past, the panel has focused on topics such as the recently declassified Corona program. This year, the panel focused on the SAFSP organization.[24]
    • Colonel Frank S. Buzard (U.S. Air Force) of the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for Special Projects (SAFSP or NRO Program A). Worked Hexagon.[25]: 88 

Organizations

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  • Beta Gamma Sigma, business administration fraternity.[3]
  • Served on board of directors of the Secretary of the Air Force Special Projects (SAFSP) Alumni Association.[26]: 155 
  • USMA Association of Graduates 1948 class historian.[27]

Personal life

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Stelling was married to Lucille Celesta (née Treat) of Fresno, California. They had four children (Henry B. III, Sandra, Mark, and Sharon).[3] After 67 years of marriage, his wife died at their home in Irvine, California on September 14, 2016.[28] Stelling died in Costa Mesa, California on September 20, 2021. He was cremated and interred with his wife at Riverside National Cemetery in California on October 25, 2021.[4]

Awards and decorations

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  • Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbon.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "USAF Biography: Major General Henry Stelling Jr". United States Air Force. December 1978. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "Henry Barthold Stelling Obituary". San Francisco Examiner. September 3, 1965. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e United States Congress, House Committee on Science and Astronautics (February 25–27, 1975). "1976 NASA Authorization". Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Henry B. Stelling Jr. 1948". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "National Reconnaissance Office Review and Redaction Guide" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: National Reconnaissance Office. 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2021 – via theblackvault.com.
  6. ^ Bradburn, David D. (June 14, 1971). "Highlights of the Land Panel Meeting, 11 June 1971" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: National Reconnaisance Office. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Stares, Paul B. (January 27, 2021). Space Weapons and U.S. Strategy: Origins and Development. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Group. p. 177. ISBN 9780367557980.
  8. ^ Williamson, Ray (1999). "Developing the Space Shuttle" (PDF). Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the U.S. Civil Space Program, Volume IV: Accessing Space. Washington, D.C.: NASA. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  9. ^ a b United States Congress, House Committee on Science and Astronautics (March 13, 1973). "1974 NASA Authorization". Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  10. ^ Harrison, Edwin F.; Pritchard, E. Brian (February 1971). "Use of Space Tug to Increase Payload Capability of Space Shuttle" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  11. ^ Ray, Justin (January 19, 2011). "From Shuttles to Rockets: Long History for Calif. Launch Pad". space.com. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  12. ^ "The Space Shuttle Decision: NASA's Search for a Reusable Space Vehicle". nasa.gov. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Ryan, Kathleen (July 18, 1975). "Space Shuttle Meeting" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: The White House. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via fordlibrarymuseum.gov.
  14. ^ Johnson, Dana J. (October 2006). "Overcoming Challenges to Transformational Space Programs: The Global Positioning System". Arlington, Virginia: Northrop Grumman. Retrieved October 8, 2022 – via nanopdf.com.
  15. ^ "Oral-History:Brad Parkinson - Engineering and Technology History Wiki". ethw.org. November 2, 1999. p. 4.6 GPS NAVSTAR name and marketing. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  16. ^ "Part 2: The Origins of GPS, Fighting to Survive". GPS World. Cleveland, Ohio: North Coast Media. June 1, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  17. ^ "Session 6 - Military Space Activities". Cocoa Beach, Florida: The Space Congress. April 1, 1973. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  18. ^ Sturdevant, Rick (August 2008). "Not Related to Reconnaissance in Any Way: An Interview with Dr. F. Robert Naka" (PDF). High Frontier, The Journal for Space & Missile Professionals. 4 (4). United States Air Force. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Del Papa, E. Michael; Warner, Mary P. (October 1987). "A Historical Chronology of the Electronic Systems Division 1947–1986" (PDF). Fort Belvoir, Virginia: Defense Technical Information Center. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  20. ^ Hawes, Ralph (August 1981). "Report of the American Defense Preparedness Association Conference on the Army LDA LRP/Industry Interface" (PDF). Fort Belvoir, Virginia: Defense Technical Information Center. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  21. ^ "Arms Control in Space: Workshop Proceedings" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. May 1984. OTA-BP-ISC-28. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  22. ^ "The Gambit and Hexagon Programs". Washington, D.C.: National Reconnaissance Office. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  23. ^ a b McDonald, Robert A., ed. (Spring 2012). "Editor's Commentary" (PDF). National Reconnaissance—Journal of the Discipline and Practice (2012-U1). Chantilly, Virginia: Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance. ISSN 1557-0304. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  24. ^ "SMC Hosts Legacy Panel". Los Angeles Air Force Base. December 7, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  25. ^ Araki, Sam; Treat, Steve (Spring 2012). McDonald, Robert A. (ed.). "Hexagon — "No Single Failure Shall Abort the Mission"" (PDF). National Reconnaissance—Journal of the Discipline and Practice (2012-U1). Chantilly, Virginia: Center for the Study of National Reconnaissance. ISSN 1557-0304. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
  26. ^ Swan, Peter A.; Swan, Cathy W. (Summer 2015). Rick Larned (ed.). Birth of Air Force Satellite Reconnaisance:Facts, Recollections, and Reflections. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-329-16478-9. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  27. ^ "Class of 1948". West Point, New York: West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  28. ^ "Lucille Treat Stelling Obituary". Orange County Register. October 1, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2021.

Attribution

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Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Air Force
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