Otto Glasser

Otto John Glasser of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (1918 – 1996) was an Air Force Lieutenant General (United States) and pioneering weapons scientist.

Lt. Gen. Otto J. Glasser

Early career and education

Glasser graduated from Cornell University in 1940 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Officers Reserve Corps that same year. He was called to active duty in 1941, serving in the Army Signal Corps installing the then top secret, newly developed radar technology as an early attack warning system in the Caribbean theater of World War II. After he trained as a US Army Air Force bomber pilot and was awarded his Aviator badge (wings), the newly formed US Air Force sponsored Glasser’s advanced study in electronic physics. He received an MS degree in the field from the Ohio State University in 1947.[1]

Later career

Glasser had a long and distinguished later career in aerospace weapons research. He directed the program that developed the United States of America’s SM-65 Atlas, the World's first operational Intercontinental ballistic missile. He later served successively as chief of the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, the Air Force division that developed for the Central Intelligence Agency Directorate of Science & Technology the Corona (satellite), the World’s first Reconnaissance satellite and deployed this first spy satellite with the CIA from 1959 - 1972, Special Assistant to the Commander of and Chief of the Command Special Project’s Office Air Research and Development Command, and Vice Commander of the Electronic Systems Division at Air Force Systems Command. Following, Glasser served as a Deputy Director of Operational Requirements and Development Plans, then, Deputy Chief of Staff for Research and Development and Military Director of the USAF Scientific Advisory Board, Air Force Headquarters. Lt. Gen. Glasser retired from these last two positions and the Air Force in 1973. He died in 1996.[1][2] The Lieutenant General is buried with his wife Norma Mayo Glasser at Arlington National Cemetery.[3]

Medals and decorations

Here are some medals and decorations of Lieutenant General Otto John Glasser.

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
 Legion of Merit
Air Force Commendation Medal

References
  1. Air Force Space Command
  2. US Air Force official biography
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