Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-08-07

some of the usual engineering pro-
cedures because we we're in a field
that had never before been ex-
plored on so vast scale" Gen.
Groves said. But we made progress
through determine ton and the will
ingness to take a chance. These
chances paid dividends, even though
some phases of the program had to
be abandoned through necessity.
Organization Job
All concerned worked together as
a team and we owe great tribute to
the scientists, contractors, and others
who worked untiringly and unself-
ishly day after day in overcoming
the numerous handicaps in the pro-
gram. 1t was an organization Job
THE complexity of the project
was such that any decision on one
phase could not be made in the ma
jority of the situations without
affecting other parts of the work and
the closest cooperation was de-
manded, and had, in all matters. ="
CVlS-CpOhCh oIlCCI.
Gen. Groves was deputy chief of
construction in the Washington
office of the Chief of Engineers when
he was assigned to the atomic re-
search development in the summer
Of 1912. AS deputy chief, he super
vised the erection of the Pentagon.
Before his venture into nuclear
physics-the field of research which
brought the large-scale tapping of
the energy within atoms to produce
a new weapon-Gen. Groves major
experience with scientific matters
had delt with research on anti
aircraft searchlights and Allied
equipment.
A pleasant-nannered, soft-spoken
officer who outwardly never showed
the strain of his job, Gen. Groves
constantly amazed his associates be-
cause of his ability to handle the
variety of complex details-both ad-
ministrative and technical-with q
minimum Of confusion.
Relaxed at Tennis.
When bad moments" came and
the success of the project was in
doubt Gen. Groves became even
more determined to find the answers
SO that the United States would be
the first to solve the riddle of an
atomic explosive. The rumor stories
in newspapers about Germany's ex-
periments along the same line served
as an added incentive.
During the three years of expert
menting Gen. Groves has stayed at
his desk IL hours day, often re-
naming at his Pentagon Office long
after his staff has gone home.
Whenever possible he has sought
relaxation with brisk turn at ten
mis- at the Army, Navy Country Club
and then returned to his office.
Father Chaplain.
Gen. Groves permanent rank is
lieutenant colonel although he has
never served in that rank. He was
jumped from major to full colonel
in 1910 to become special assistant
to the quartermaster general in
charge of the Army's vast construc-
ton program. ~
Gen. Groves was born in the
manse Of the First Presbyterian
Church at Albany, N. Y. on August
II, 1896, shortly before his father
went into the Army as chaplain
stationed at Vancouver Barracks.
The family remained at Vancouver
Barracks while the father was in
Cuba, the Philippines and In China
during the Boxer rebellion. Gen.
Groves remembers seeing his father
for the first time when he was 5
years old.
The Groves family toured from
one Army post to another as the boy
grew up. In 1914, the future general
entered the Massachusetts, Institute
of Technology. He left NIT in 1916
to enter West Point under q prest-
dental appointment.