Schriever (1910-2005) is considered the father of the Air Force’s ballistic missile program.

In 1954, Schriever assumed command of the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, Air Research and Development Command, Los Angeles, Calif. In this capacity, he directed the nation’s highest priority project, the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

He was responsible not only for pushing forward research and development on all technical phases of the Atlas, Titan, Thor and Minuteman ballistic missiles, but for concurrently providing the launching sites and equipment, tracking facilities, and ground support equipment necessary to these missiles.

The techniques developed for the Air Force’s ballistic missile program have contributed substantially to the nation’s aerospace capability.