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Memorial Tributes Volume 15 (2011) / Chapter Skim
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Lew Allen, JR. 1925-2010
Pages 8-19

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From page 9...
... Military academy at West Point in 1943, graduating in 1946 with a bachelor of science degree, a commission as a second lieutenant, and pilot wings. after completing multiengine flight training, he was assigned to Strategic Air Command's 7th Bombardment Group at Fort Worth Army Airfield (later renamed Carswell Air Force Base)
From page 10...
... at los alamos National laboratory, he measured the cross section of neutrons coming out of nuclear explosions. at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, he was science advisor to the Physics division of the air force special Weapons center from 1957 to 1961.
From page 11...
... Beggs even proposed terminating the nation's planetary exploration program altogether, making JPL "surplus to our needs." caltech began seeking other sources of funds, considering the addition of defense work to JPl's tasks. Nominated as JPl director, with a concurrent position as vice president of caltech, allen brought to JPl his extensive experience with military space missions and technology.
From page 12...
... cole and allen collaborated on initiating, nourishing, and finally instantiating JPL's Microdevices laboratory (Mdl) , which grew into a research, development, and fabrication facility for highly capable, miniaturized devices for space missions.
From page 13...
... allen." Nasa saw the value and became a prime sponsor of advanced computing and eventually also provided research and development (R&D) funding for advanced infrared, submillimeter, ultraviolet, and visible sensors for imaging; advanced lasers for sensing; and technology to miniaturize spacecraft.
From page 14...
... in 1984 two astronomers, following up on data from the infrared astronomical satellite that revealed unusual amounts of infrared radiation from Beta Pictoris (implying the existence of orbiting solid material) , obtained an image of a circumstellar disc using a ground-based telescope.
From page 15...
... allen thought it was a great idea for JPl, too, and with participation of JPl chief Technologist Terry cole, a companion sUrf program was initiated at the laboratory. after allen retired from JPl, he continued as a member of the sUrf board for three years and chaired it for a year.
From page 16...
... from 1989 to 1995, allen was a member of the President's foreign intelligence advisory Board and the intelligence oversight Board, and as former U.s. air force chief of staff, he continued to be active in the military intelligence community, serving as a member of the National security agency advisory Board.
From page 17...
... goddard award from the society of Photo-optical instrumentation engineers/ international society for optical engineering; the rotary National space Trophy; the robert H goddard Memorial Trophy from the National space club; and the William oliver Baker award from the security affairs support association (now the intelligence and National security association)
From page 18...
... The annual lew allen award for excellence presented by JPl recognizes significant accomplishments and leadership in scientific research or technological innovation. To his colleagues and friends, lew allen was an unfailing source of encouragement, support, wisdom, and knowledge.


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