Atomic. Missile. Space. Birthplace of American Ages.
White Sands Missile Range Hall of Fame
The White Sands Missile Range Hall of Fame was founded in 1980 by Major General Duard D. Ball to recognize Missile Range civilian, military, and contractor personnel for outstanding contributions made during their tenure at WSMR.
Members of the White Sands Missile Range Hall of Fame are people who have, over the years, made significant contributions to the success of the mission of White Sands Proving Ground/White Sands Missile Range and/or made significant contributions to the advancement of technology in furtherance of the capability of the Missile Range.
Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor White Sands can bestow on one of its own.
Hall of Fame honorees are usually inducted during the summer months, often around the 09 July anniversary of the founding of the Missile Range.
Inductees receive a medal and a certificate. In 2006, each honoree received an American flag that was flown in front of the Missile Range Headquarters Building. The flag presentation is now part of the ceremony as well.
The profiles below are listed in alphabetical order.Click on the photo to view their biography.
Bill Agee Mathematician Served 1956 – 2012 Inducted 2022
Joy Arthur Research Electronic Engineer Served 1958 – 2005 Inducted 2005
Paul Arthur Tester – Director – Mentor Served 1956 – 2004 Inducted 2005
Roy Autry Civilian Personnel Officer Served 1960 – 1974 Inducted 1986
Gabriel Galos Chief, Optics in Instrumentation Served 1952 – 1977 Inducted 1985
Dr. George Gardiner Founder, NMSU Physical Science Lab Served 1946 – 1961 Inducted 1986
Joseph Gold Optical Technology Pioneer Program Manager Served 1949 – 1979 Inducted 2006
Leon Goode Ballistic Missile Defense Pioneer Served 1956 -1988 Inducted 1991
Alice Lucile Graham Chief of Computer Operations Served 1951 – 1969 Inducted 1986
Dale Green Chief, Engineers Uprange Division Served 1951 – 1983 Inducted 2009
Frank Hemingway Technical Director, National Range Served 1947 – 1977 Inducted 1980
Patrick Higgins Chief of Data Sciences Served 1950 – 1981 Inducted 1988
Dr. Donald Hoock Jr. Physicist Inducted 2014
Herbert Karsch Range Technical Director Served 1945 – 1956 Inducted 1983
Robert Lechtenberg Technical Director, Army Test and Evaluation Directorate Served 1950 – 1972 Inducted 1988
COL Robert Lipinski National Range Director, 1985 – 1989 WSMR Deputy Commander, 1989 – 1990 President, White Sands Pioneer Group, 1996 – 1999 Board Member, White Sands Historical Foundation Inducted 2021
Melvin Lux Manager, Land-Air Range Operations Served 1950 – 1987 Inducted 2006
William McCool Father of Real Time Data Processing Served 1959 – 1973 Inducted 1999
Edward Noble Pioneer in Development of Range Optics Served 1952 – 1979 Inducted 1992
MG Alan Nord 15th WSMR Commander Served 1980 – 1982 Inducted 1994
Alex Paczynski Space Harbor Project Manager Served 1964 – 1995 Inducted 2000
Moises Pedroza Telemetry Pioneer Served 1968 – 2005 Inducted 2006
Andres Portillo Video Pioneer Served 1958 – 2001 Inducted 2013
Joaquin Provencio Operations and Signal Security Pioneer Served 1951 – 1985 Inducted 2007
Mary Beth Reinhart Chief of the Community Recreation Division Served 1982 – 2005 Inducted 2009
William Rice Chief of Telemetry Developer, Drone Formation Control System Served 1960 – 1995 Inducted 2023
Wayne Roemersberger Range Instrumentation Developer Served 1946 – 1956 Inducted 1987
James (Scotty) Scott Operations Manager Served 1952 – 2003 Inducted 2004
MG John Shinkle 6th WSMR Commander Served 1960 – 1962 Inducted 1990
Jean Simpkins Real Estate Specialist Served 1952 – 1984 Inducted 2023
Dr. Ernst Steinhoff Rocket Scientist Served 1945 – 1972 Inducted 1984
Samuel Teitelbaum Range Comptroller Served 1952 – 1971 Inducted 1988
Dr. Clyde Tombaugh Chief of Optical Measurements Served 1946 – 1955 Inducted 1980
Joseph Trammel Security and Counterintelligence Ordained Pastor Leader of the Gospel Congregation Inducted 2014
COL Harold Turner 1st WSMR Commander Served 1945 – 1947 Inducted 1980
Austin Vick Manager and Engineer, National Range Operations Served 1950 – 1984 Inducted 2001
Dr. Werhner von Braun Rocket Scientist Served 1945 – 1950 Inducted 1980
Nathan Wagner Father of Missile Flight Safety Served 1950 – 1973 Inducted 1984
Frances Williams Chief of Equal Employment Opportunity Programs Served 1969 – 1987 Inducted 1995