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Lot #9072
Gus Grissom Typed Letter Signed for Guenter Wendt

"The highest compliment I can pay Mr. Wendt is to express my willingness, in fact the desire, to have him supervise the preparation of the next vehicle which I might fly"—a poignant letter of recommendation by Gus Grissom

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Estimate: $1000+
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Description

"The highest compliment I can pay Mr. Wendt is to express my willingness, in fact the desire, to have him supervise the preparation of the next vehicle which I might fly"—a poignant letter of recommendation by Gus Grissom

Significant TLS signed "Virgil I. Grissom," one page, 8 x 10.5, NASA letterhead, January 16, 1963. Letter of recommendation for longtime Pad Leader Guenter Wendt. In part: "The success of Project Mercury could only come about through dedicated effort, correct engineering procedures, and proper management. Mr. Wendt has performed in an outstanding manner in all of these areas. His participation in the prelaunch testing of the Mercury vehicles has added immeasurably to the success of these missions. Mr. Wendt supervised the preparation of my spaceship, and was the last person to inspect and approve its condition prior to launch…I had complete confidence in the decisions made by Mr. Wendt…The highest compliment I can pay Mr. Wendt is to express my willingness, in fact the desire, to have him supervise the preparation of the next vehicle which I might fly." In fine condition. A poignant letter from Grissom in light of Wendt not being the Pad Leader for the tragic Apollo 1 fire; afterward, astronauts including Apollo 7 Commander Wally Schirra insisted on Wendt's return. Reinstated and again put in charge of the White Room and launch pad, Wendt would oversee every manned Apollo flight.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Space Exploration and Aviation
  • Dates: #664 - Ended April 20, 2023





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