The Rickover Effect; How One Man Made a Difference

Annapolis: Naval Institute Press, 1992. First Printing [Stated]. Hardcover. Very good./good. xviii, 411, [3 p. Illustrations. Index. Key dates on endpapers. Publisher's ephemera laid in. Inscribed by author to Mary Alexander on half-title. DJ has minor chip at top of back panel. Ink note at end of narrative (page 390) "What a wonderful Person". Minor check marks on two pages. Ink notation inside back cover. DJ has some wear, soiling, and small edge tears. Foreword by Admiral James D. Watkins, USN (ret.) . Excerpts from on-line obituary of the author: "Theodore Rockwell, was a nuclear engineer who assisted in the development of nuclear-powered naval vessels. Since 1943, he had been involved in the development of nuclear power. He worked on the atomic bomb at Oak Ridge, Tenn. He worked with Navy Adm. Hyman G. Rickover on the Navy s nuclear propulsion program. He received distinguished service medals from the Navy and the Atomic Energy Commission. He received the American Nuclear Society s Lifetime Achievement Award, which is now known as the Rockwell Award." From Wikipedia: "Hyman G. Rickover (January 27, 1900 - July 8, 1986) was responsible for the original development of U.S. Navy nuclear propulsion and controlled its operations for three decades as director of Naval Reactors. In addition, he oversaw the development of the Shippingport Atomic Power Station, the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor used for generating electricity. Known as the "Father of the Nuclear Navy", Rickover's profound effects on the Navy and its most powerful warships were of such scope that he "may well go down in history as one of the Navy's most important officers." A naval officer who served in a flag rank for nearly 30 years - from 1953 to 1982 - Rickover was promoted to four-star admiral after 51 years of commissioned service. In total, with his unique personality, political connections, responsibilities, and depth of knowledge regarding naval nuclear propulsion, Rickover became the longest-serving naval officer in U.S. history with 63 years of active duty service. As of July 2007, the Naval Sea Systems Command programs which he oversaw the creation and operation of had produced 200 nuclear-powered submarines, and 23 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and cruisers, though many of these U.S. vessels are now decommissioned and others are under construction. Rickover was the only person who has ever been awarded two Congressional Gold Medals. His substantial legacy of technical achievements includes the United States Navy's continuing record of zero reactor accidents, as defined by the uncontrolled release of fission products to the environment subsequent to reactor core damage.