Was Wernher von Braun a Nazi, or a Strategic Asset for the US?

Wernher von Braun, a former SS member, became a US citizen in 1955. But was he truly a Nazi, or merely an opportunist with a singular passion for rocketry?

Background and Context

Wernher von Braun had a single focus: to develop rockets capable of reaching the stars. His expertise was invaluable, and regardless of his political affiliations, the United States recognized that they needed him and his knowledge to compete with the Soviet Union.

Operation Paperclip

Both Germany and the United States invested heavily in von Braun's rocket-building plans. This investment would culminate in the V2 rocket, a powerful and terrifying demonstration of ballistic missile capabilities. However, von Braun was not ideologically a Nazi; the Nazis recognized his value and provided funding and resources for his research.

Years ago, I had a coworker whose father was an Army MP responsible for the security of von Braun at Redstone Arsenal (RSA) in Huntsville, AL. Interestingly, RSA was chosen due to its similarity to the countryside von Braun had worked in during World War II, with its mountains, streams, and forests.

Relocation and Secrecy

The relocation of German scientists to RSA was part of a larger operation known as Operation Paperclip. The American and Russian governments engaged in intense competition to secure the best and brightest of the scientists. Despite the V2 factories being deep in the mountains of the Soviet sector, von Braun and his Penemunde team were smuggled out and brought to the Western sector where they continued their work.

The Space Race and Legacy

The V2 rocket marked a significant technological advancement. Von Braun was an opportunist who passionately pursued his goal of building rockets that could reach the stars or, at minimum, the moon. His expertise in rocketry was critical in the early days of the space race. The US relied heavily on V2-derived rockets during the 1960s, with most of its military arsenal based on the V2 technology.

Pushed into the limelight by television broadcasts in the late 1950s and early 1960s, von Braun became a key figure in space exploration. On televised interviews and shows, such as the one on 'Disney World,' he evangelized the potential of space travel, colonizing other planets, and setting up space stations. His fascination with space and advocacy for the pioneering effort in space exploration left a lasting impact on the public's perception of space travel.

Legacy and Rememberance

If you're interested in learning more about the intricacies of Operation Paperclip and the geopolitical struggles to secure leading scientists, I recommend you pick up a copy of the book 'Operation Paperclip.' It provides a detailed account of the intrigue and methods used by both the American and Russian governments to secure the top scientific minds.

Wernher von Braun's legacy lies not only in his rocketry achievements but in his transformation from an SS member to a key figure in the US space program. His life story is a testament to the complex interplay of politics, science, and personal ambition in the post-war world.