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Becker, John V. (John Vernon), 1913-2020

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1913 - 2020

Biographical Note

John Vernon Becker was born in Albany, New York, in 1913. He graduated from NYU in 1935 with a degree in mechanical engineering and an MS in 1936. He began working at National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory later that year. During his career, he served as . Head of the 16-ft. Wind Tunnel Branch (1943-1947), chief of the Compressibility Research Division (1947-1957), and chief of the Aero-Physics Research Division (1958-1974) at NACA and NASA-Langley. He was a specialist in hypersonic and reentry aerodynamics and a pioneer in the development of hypersonic research aircraft, including the X-15. Becker retired from NASA in 1974. He was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 1980, he authored The High-Speed Frontier: Case Histories of Four NACA Programs, 1920-1950 (Washington, DC: NASA, 1980). He died in 2020.

A longer biography of Becker is availalbe on the NASA website: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/langley/john-v-becker/.

See also Becker's obituary online at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dailypress/name/john-becker-obituary?id=14163893.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Blake W. Corson, Jr., Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1990-055
Abstract

The Blake W. Corson, Jr., Papers are comprised of professional and personal files, correspondence, and published materials from 1861-1984 (bulk, 1934-1979), primarily relating to his career as an engineer at NASA Langley.

Dates: 1861 - 1984; Majority of material found within 1934 - 1979