VOL. 58 No. 60 Published in the interest of personnel at Redstone Arsenal, AL December 2, 2009 Community news The end of the ‘McCorkle era’ Dr. Bill McCorkle compared to von Braun as he accepts retirement with ‘fire in his gut’ Book shares war stories By KARI HAWKINS Page 4 Staff writer [email protected] hanks to Dr. Bill McCorkle, Redstone Post profile Arsenal’s Thanksgiving week began Memorial T with a visit from a prestigious group of local, state and national dignitaries, honors bomb including the mayors of Huntsville and technicians Madison, several retired and active Army Page 8 generals, Rep. Parker Griffith and Sen. Richard Shelby. They gathered with employees of the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center in Bob Jones Audi- torium at 9 a.m. Nov. 23 to congratulate McCorkle on 52 years of civilian service in Culture cloth leading the development of missile, aviation and simulation technology at Redstone. And ‘Little Fox’ they sent him into retirement with a rousing proud of rendition of the Army Song. Indian Thanking those in attendance for “all this attention,” McCorkle, 81, spent his moments heritage at the podium not glorifying himself, but Page 12 attempting to throw the attention back on the employees who are committed to AMRDEC’s role in supporting the war fighter. Photo by Kari Hawkins Engineer news “There are a lot of people here who con- WORDS OF RETIREMENT— Dr. Bill McCorkle addresses a packed Bob Jones Audito- tinue to contribute tremendously to what rium during his retirement ceremony Nov. 23. A physicist at heart, McCorkle led tech- we’ve done together,” he said. “I want to nological efforts at AMRDEC that has made the center an international leader in avia- thank you for the opportunity I’ve had to tion and missile research and development. participate in the many changes that have occurred, particularly since 1980.” technical leaders – and AMRDEC itself – Senate (in 1986), he was one of the first ones In November of that year, McCorkle was improving both rotor and fixed wing air- to knock on the door, and he knocked the selected for the dual role as the technical craft, continuing progress with unmanned door down because he wanted to be there all director of the then Missile Command (now systems, improving precision of guided mis- the time (lobbying for AMRDEC’s future). I Aviation and Missile Command) and the siles and better detection against improvised quickly realized his contributions and he had director of the then Army Missile Laborato- explosive devices. a standing invitation.” Technology innovators ry (now the 3,100-employee AMRDEC). But it was McCorkle’s expression of his Shelby thanked McCorkle for his dedica- Page 14 Since coming to work for the Army at Red- own personal management philosophy that tion to the Army. stone Arsenal in 1957, McCorkle has had really spoke to the kind of leader he has “You have spent your life helping the war significant involvement in nearly every been. fighter provide security for this nation,” Army rocket and missile development pro- “I believe, very simply, that you have to Shelby said, adding members of the Senate Win or lose gram, and has established himself and put trust in people, and reward them tremen- Appropriations Committee and the Defense AMRDEC as an international leader in avi- dously, and give them opportunities,” he Appropriations Subcommittee “know who Holiday ation and missile technology. said. he is. They honor him. They know he is an tourney takes “We have been successful in the merger of While McCorkle’s comments reflected icon.” the court aviation and missile communities,” he said. back on the employees of AMRDEC, com- Because of McCorkle’s work in aviation “There is a huge amount of common technol- ments from one of Congress’ leading sena- and missile development, “Soldiers love and Page 25 ogy in these areas in terms of seekers and con- tors were focused on McCorkle’s unique respect you. Their enemies fear you. Thank trols, and we’ve all integrated these very well.” contributions to AMRDEC and the Army. you on behalf of the nation. As we honor In his comments, he touched on the chal- “I’m here because I wanted to honor him. you, you honor the nation,” Shelby added. lenges of AMRDEC’s executive director – I’ve worked with him for years,” Shelby told filling senior positions with capable and McCorkle’s audience. “When I went to the See McCorkle on page 11 ViewsRocket Commentary An open lane Commentary: My wife saved my life By MARK ALLEN — was planting the seeds of Dr. Samorodin is a true patriot. random survey Army News Service destruction that would erupt under Following medical school, he volun- my skin with deadly promise. teered for the Army and Vietnam. ARLINGTON, Va. — Walking I had visited a dermatologist for He served a tour in South Vietnam What’s been the highlight of your year? with my surgeon from the exam an annual exam every year. After he during 1970-71 with the 199th Light room to his office to schedule my retired, I was examined by the doc- Infantry Brigade, and later, in Long By SKIP VAUGHN impending surgery, I told him it was tor, who took over his practice, and Binh. He was awarded the Bronze Rocket editor [email protected] my wife’s concern about an unsight- he did not share the concern that my Star for a medical program he initi- ly mole on my back that sent me to wife continued to voice. ated that impressed the brass in a dermatologist. Finally, I got a referral from my Saigon. Celeste Shockley The surgeon, Dr. Robert Stone internist for his dermatologist and After leaving active service, he Post Restaurant Baxt, wheeled around and impas- made an unscheduled visit the next stayed in the Army Reserve provid- December 2, 2009 The Redstone Rocket Page 2 Page The Redstone Rocket December 2, 2009 “My daughter (Alisha Bell) just sionedly stated, “Your wife saved morning. I ambushed Dr. Charles ing much-needed medical services graduated. She went through an your life.” Samorodin outside of his locked office. to our Soldiers for a total of 20 internship with Logistics Support Here’s the skinny on skin — Immediately, he said he did not years. Activity up in Virginia. She was up function, form, beauty, it does it all. like the looks of my odious mole, My surgeon also turned out to be there for a year and graduated. Skin is the body’s largest organ. and he was going to take a biopsy. a Vietnam veteran. He served as a This waterproof barrier breathes, “You should thank your wife,” he U.S. Navy flight surgeon working Now she gets to start her real job. She moved sweats, cools, provides sensation, said as he excised a piece of my helicopter medical evacuations. to Beaumont, Texas. I’m very proud of her, I absorbs vitamins, and is a thing of back, “for getting you here when I honor these two patriots for really am.” beauty even though it is often vili- she did.” their military service and for the fied for not being deeper. But I Subsequently, Dr. Samorodin got skills of diagnosis and surgery that Marilyn Wurtz never knew that. the dermatopathologist’s report and will truly save my life, but also and AMRDEC Weapons Development As children, my brother and I asked me to come and see him. He especially a wife who looked at my and Integration Directorate lived the lives of modern-day Tom said I had advanced dysplasia, a pre- beautiful skin and saw something “I would say my son (Zachariah) Sawyers in the Missouri Ozarks. cancerous condition, and I would ugly. joining the Army and graduating Typically, we wore a pair of jeans have to have surgery to ensure Editor’s note: Mark Allen is a from basic training at Fort Jack- everyday — no shoes, no shirt. Lit- removal of all the tissue that could retired Air Force colonel and an tle did we know that our skin’s num- turn malignant. He recommended a Army civilian working at the Nation- son, S.C. And after our recent ber one enemy — that jolly old Sun surgeon and I agreed. al Guard Bureau. move, my daughter (Briana) being successful at Bob Jones High School. I’m proud to be part of the work that the WDI directorate does toward cousin is an ammo tech. He was just Getting to know you telling about the adventures he’s got- the war fighter effort.” ten to go on. He’s gotten to know a Quote of the week By SKIP VAUGHN lot of different people and gotten to nd in the end, it’s not Rocket editor do something new every day. Pvt. Jaqualynn Bridges [email protected] the years in your life Charlie Company that count. It’s the life What do you like to do in your ‘A in your years.’ “Completing basic training (at Fort Name: Pfc. Joseph spare time? Jackson, S.C.) and making it to AIT Raines I like to ride my bikes (Honda CBR – Abraham Lincoln (advanced individual training).” 900). That’s my passion. I miss my Job: Ammunition technician, rock climbing, too. Marine Corps Detachment Redstone Rocket What are your goals? Pvt. Ryne Pennington Where do you call home? Honestly my goal is to retire from Charlie Company Atlanta, Ga. the United States Marine Corps as a has holiday break “Being here with this company. gunnery sergeant. The Redstone Rocket will cele- The first sergeant and the com- What do you like about your job? I just graduated Friday (Nov.