Walter B. LaBerge
Encyclopedia
Walter Barber LaBerge was an aerospace engineer and defense industry
executive who served as United States Under Secretary of the Army
from 1977 to 1980.
in 1924. His father was a salesman for the Fuller Brush Company
. He was educated at the University of Notre Dame
, receiving a degree in Naval Science
in 1944.
After graduating, LaBerge joined the United States Navy
(then in the midst of World War II
) and was posted to the yard minesweeper USS YMS-165 based in Palau
. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1946.
Upon leaving the Navy, LaBerge returned to Notre Dame, and shortly thereafter married Patricia Sammon of River Forest, Illinois
. He received a B.S. in Physics
from Notre Dame in 1947 and a Ph.D.
in Physics in 1950.
In 1950, LaBerge became Program Engineer for the AIM-9 Sidewinder
at the Naval Ordnance Test Center in China Lake, California
. He was promoted in 1955, becoming Program Manager
of the Sidewinder program.
In 1957, LaBerge moved to Philco
as Director of Engineering at its Western Development Laboratories in Palo Alto, California
. (Philco was acquired by the Ford Motor Company
in 1961, becoming Philco Ford.) Beginning in 1962, LaBerge headed up the Philco Ford team that designed and installed the instrumentation of the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. During this period, he worked closely with NASA
officials, and got to know several of the original United States astronauts. In 1963, he was promoted to Director of the Philco Ford's Houston operation. He returned to Palo Alto in 1966 as division vice president, then vice president for the Electronics Group, at Philco Ford's Western Development Laboratories.
LaBerge returned to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
(as the Naval Ordnance Test Center had been renamed) in 1971 as deputy technical director and then as technical director.
In 1973, President of the United States
Richard Nixon
nominated LaBerge as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Research and Development). He held this post until 1976, when he became Assistant Secretary General (Defense Support) at NATO in Brussels
.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter
nominated LaBerge as United States Under Secretary of the Army
and he subsequently held this office from July 27, 1977 until February 28, 1980. On February 15, 1979, he also became Principal Deputy to the Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), and continued to hold this post until 1981, even after he relinquished his office as Under Secretary of the Army.
Upon leaving the United States Department of Defense
in 1981, LaBerge became an executive at Lockheed
, serving as corporate vice president of the Lockheed Missile and Space Company in Sunnyvale, California
from 1981 to 1985, and then as Lockheed's Vice President of Advanced Planning at Calabasas, California
from 1985 to 1989.
LaBerge retired in 1989. In retirement, he served as chair of the Army Science Board
. He also held several academic appointments, including Senior Researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology at the University of Texas at Austin
; visiting professor at the Defense Systems Management College at the Defense Acquisition University
in Fort Belvoir
, Virginia
; and Visiting Professor of Physics at the Naval Postgraduate School
in Monterey, California
.
A genealogy
enthusiast, LaBerge traced his genealogy back to Robert de La Berge
, one of the original settlers of New France
.
LaBerge died in Santa Cruz, California
on July 16, 2004. He was 80 years old.
Defense contractor
A defense contractor is a business organization or individual that provides products or services to a military department of a government. Products typically include military aircraft, ships, vehicles, weaponry, and electronic systems...
executive who served as United States Under Secretary of the Army
United States Under Secretary of the Army
The United States Under Secretary of the Army is the second-highest ranking civilian official of the United States Department of the Army, serving directly under the United States Secretary of the Army...
from 1977 to 1980.
Biography
Walter B. LaBerge was born in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1924. His father was a salesman for the Fuller Brush Company
Fuller Brush Company
The Fuller Brush Company sells branded and private label products for personal care as well as commercial and household cleaning; it is a subsidiary of CPAC Inc., which since 2007 has been owned by the private equity group Buckingham Capital Partners. Fuller Brush was founded in 1906, by Alfred...
. He was educated at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, receiving a degree in Naval Science
Library of Congress Classification:Class V -- Naval Science
Class V: Naval science is a classification used by the Library of Congress Classification system. This article outlines the subclasses of Class V*V210-214.5 Submarine warfare*V390-395 Naval research*V396-396.5 Military oceanography...
in 1944.
After graduating, LaBerge joined the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
(then in the midst of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
) and was posted to the yard minesweeper USS YMS-165 based in Palau
Palau
Palau , officially the Republic of Palau , is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, east of the Philippines and south of Tokyo. In 1978, after three decades as being part of the United Nations trusteeship, Palau chose independence instead of becoming part of the Federated States of Micronesia, a...
. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1946.
Upon leaving the Navy, LaBerge returned to Notre Dame, and shortly thereafter married Patricia Sammon of River Forest, Illinois
River Forest, Illinois
River Forest is a suburban village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago. The village is closely tied to the larger neighboring community of Oak Park, Illinois. There are significant...
. He received a B.S. in Physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
from Notre Dame in 1947 and a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
in Physics in 1950.
In 1950, LaBerge became Program Engineer for the AIM-9 Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
at the Naval Ordnance Test Center in China Lake, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He was promoted in 1955, becoming Program Manager
Program management
Program management or programme management is the process of managing several related projects, often with the intention of improving an organization's performance...
of the Sidewinder program.
In 1957, LaBerge moved to Philco
Philco
Philco, the Philadelphia Storage Battery Company , was a pioneer in early battery, radio, and television production as well as former employer of Philo Farnsworth, inventor of cathode ray tube television...
as Director of Engineering at its Western Development Laboratories in Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
. (Philco was acquired by the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in 1961, becoming Philco Ford.) Beginning in 1962, LaBerge headed up the Philco Ford team that designed and installed the instrumentation of the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. During this period, he worked closely with NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
officials, and got to know several of the original United States astronauts. In 1963, he was promoted to Director of the Philco Ford's Houston operation. He returned to Palo Alto in 1966 as division vice president, then vice president for the Electronics Group, at Philco Ford's Western Development Laboratories.
LaBerge returned to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
- About : is part of under Commander, Navy Installation Command and is located in the Western Mojave Desert region of California, approximately north of Los Angeles. Occupying three counties – Kern, San Bernardino and Inyo – the installation’s closest neighbors are the cities of Ridgecrest,...
(as the Naval Ordnance Test Center had been renamed) in 1971 as deputy technical director and then as technical director.
In 1973, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
nominated LaBerge as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Research and Development). He held this post until 1976, when he became Assistant Secretary General (Defense Support) at NATO in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
In 1977, President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
nominated LaBerge as United States Under Secretary of the Army
United States Under Secretary of the Army
The United States Under Secretary of the Army is the second-highest ranking civilian official of the United States Department of the Army, serving directly under the United States Secretary of the Army...
and he subsequently held this office from July 27, 1977 until February 28, 1980. On February 15, 1979, he also became Principal Deputy to the Under Secretary of Defense (Research and Engineering), and continued to hold this post until 1981, even after he relinquished his office as Under Secretary of the Army.
Upon leaving the United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
in 1981, LaBerge became an executive at Lockheed
Lockheed Corporation
The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
, serving as corporate vice president of the Lockheed Missile and Space Company in Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale, California
Sunnyvale is a city in Santa Clara County, California, United States. It is one of the major cities that make up the Silicon Valley located in the San Francisco Bay Area...
from 1981 to 1985, and then as Lockheed's Vice President of Advanced Planning at Calabasas, California
Calabasas, California
Calabasas is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California in the western United States. It is located in the hills in the southwestern San Fernando Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains between Woodland Hills, Agoura Hills, West Hills, and Malibu, California. As of the 2010 census, the city...
from 1985 to 1989.
LaBerge retired in 1989. In retirement, he served as chair of the Army Science Board
Army Science Board
The Army Science Board is a Federal Advisory Committee organized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. It is the Department of the Army senior scientific advisory body that was chartered in 1977 to replace the Army Scientific Advisory Panel...
. He also held several academic appointments, including Senior Researcher at the Institute of Advanced Technology at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
; visiting professor at the Defense Systems Management College at the Defense Acquisition University
Defense Acquisition University
The Defense Acquisition University is a United States military training establishment that trains and enables the 147,705 military and civilian Department of Defense personnel in the fields of acquisition, technology, and logistics, including leadership, program management and bureaucratic...
in Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir is a United States Army installation and a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Originally, it was the site of the Belvoir plantation. Today, Fort Belvoir is home to a number of important United States military organizations...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
; and Visiting Professor of Physics at the Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
in Monterey, California
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
.
A genealogy
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
enthusiast, LaBerge traced his genealogy back to Robert de La Berge
Robert de La Berge
Robert de La Berge was one of the original colonists to New France in 1658. He was also the first to arrive in North America with his surname. Most people with his surname in North America trace their family roots back to him. His descendants have held esteemed positions in private industry,...
, one of the original settlers of New France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
.
LaBerge died in Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California in the US. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Santa Cruz had a total population of 59,946...
on July 16, 2004. He was 80 years old.