President Kennedy Visits McDonnell

Year Published: 1962

Creator: McDonnell Aircraft Corporation

Description: “President Kennedy Visits McDonnell” (1962), produced by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, documents President John F. Kennedy’s visit to their St. Louis facility as part of a comprehensive tour of America's major space centers. This visit took place on September 12, 1962 and highlighted the involvement of McDonnell in NASA's Mercury and Gemini programs and the production of the F-4C Phantom II jets. During the visit, Kennedy is accompanied by high-profile figures, including Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, NASA Administrator James E. Webb, David E. Bell (Director of the Bureau of the Budget), and Walter F. Burke (McDonnell's V.P.), and James Smith McDonnell (Founder). The visit underscores Kennedy’s commitment to the space program and the partnership between the government and private enterprise, and came immediately after JFK’s famous "Moon speech" at Rice University (1962), reflecting America’s ambitious space goals in the context of the Cold War. Film opens; Crowd gathers at airfield of Lambert–St. Louis International Airport near St. Louis, Missouri to greet President on arrival, Boeing VC-137A Air Force One in distance (0:09). Close-up as officer opens door to aircraft revealing Seal of the President of the United States on interior (0:41). JFK, followed by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, walks down American Airlines-branded air stairs, roar of crowd heard in background (1:01). JFK walks besides James Smith McDonnell (1:20). Camera pans crowd of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation employees and regular civilians, the media compete for prime spot to capture photographs and footage (1:30). JFK shakes hands with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation employees in uniform (1:50). James McDonnell escorts JFK to speaker’s stand on tarmac, standing ovation as President approaches podium (2:49). JFK greets Missouri Senator Edward V. Long and Governor John M. Dalton, St. Louis Mayor Raymond R. Tucker among others (3:25). James McDonnell takes to stand and delivers opening remarks discussing American Space Program as peaceful competition as part of Cold War strategy (3:40). JFK takes to stand and delivers speech, as speech ends crowd once again offers standing ovation (5:13). JFK led towards McDonnell Aircraft Corporation plant to begin tour of facility, media follows along trying to capture pictures of President (8:03). Airshow demonstrating fleet of McDonnell F-4C Phantom II in flight (9:19). Aerial view showing crowd of McDonnell workers in white uniforms contrasting dark colored suits of President and other important officials, including James E. Webb, David E. Bell (9:47). JFK and entourage escorted to briefing on Gemini Program, Walter F. Burke and JFK stand beside Gemini Space Capsule as Burke briefs President on spacecraft (11:20). JFK ride shuttle through company’s main spacecraft and airplane manufacturing and assembly areas; Views of first Gemini details being fabricated and McDonnell F-4C Phantom II in various stages of assembly (13:00). While riding around on shuttle, JFK continues to shake hands of employees (13:35). JFK gets close-up view of completed McDonnell F-4C Phantom II, plane elevated on jacks to fully display various components and elements (13:49). Close-up JFK in shuttle being driven by James McDonnell, tour continues and JFK brought to a classified briefing on company’s space age plans (14:59). Air Force One Boeing VC-137B on tarmac (first of three Boeing 707s acquired in 1959 as presidential aircraft, designated the VC-137 series) (16:07). Group of well-dressed women walk out to tarmac (16:14). JFK and entourage escorted back to plane on electric jitney shuttles after completing 2.5 hour tour of factor (16:24). James McDonnell gives final handshake before JFK returns to plane, other members of entourage follow suit (17:22). Air Force One plane taxis and prepares for take off (18:09). Closing credits (18:32). Film ends (18:37).

Complete Record: “President Kennedy Visits McDonnell” (1962), produced by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, documents President John F. Kennedy’s visit to their St. Louis facility as part of a comprehensive tour of America's major space centers. This visit took place on September 12, 1962 and highlighted the involvement of McDonnell in NASA's Mercury and Gemini programs and the production of the F-4C Phantom II jets. During the visit, Kennedy is accompanied by high-profile figures, including Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, NASA Administrator James E. Webb, David E. Bell (Director of the Bureau of the Budget), and Walter F. Burke (McDonnell's V.P.), and James Smith McDonnell (Founder). The visit underscores Kennedy’s commitment to the space program and the partnership between the government and private enterprise, and came immediately after JFK’s famous "Moon speech" at Rice University (1962), reflecting America’s ambitious space goals in the context of the Cold War. Film opens; Crowd gathers at airfield of Lambert–St. Louis International Airport near St. Louis, Missouri to greet President on arrival, Boeing VC-137A Air Force One in distance (0:09). Close-up as officer opens door to aircraft revealing Seal of the President of the United States on interior (0:41). JFK, followed by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, walks down American Airlines-branded air stairs, roar of crowd heard in background (1:01). JFK walks besides James Smith McDonnell (1:20). Camera pans crowd of McDonnell Aircraft Corporation employees and regular civilians, the media compete for prime spot to capture photographs and footage (1:30). JFK shakes hands with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation employees in uniform (1:50). James McDonnell escorts JFK to speaker’s stand on tarmac, standing ovation as President approaches podium (2:49). JFK greets Missouri Senator Edward V. Long and Governor John M. Dalton, St. Louis Mayor Raymond R. Tucker among others (3:25). James McDonnell takes to stand and delivers opening remarks discussing American Space Program as peaceful competition as part of Cold War strategy (3:40). JFK takes to stand and delivers speech, as speech ends crowd once again offers standing ovation (5:13). JFK led towards McDonnell Aircraft Corporation plant to begin tour of facility, media follows along trying to capture pictures of President (8:03). Airshow demonstrating fleet of McDonnell F-4C Phantom II in flight (9:19). Aerial view showing crowd of McDonnell workers in white uniforms contrasting dark colored suits of President and other important officials, including James E. Webb, David E. Bell (9:47). JFK and entourage escorted to briefing on Gemini Program, Walter F. Burke and JFK stand beside Gemini Space Capsule as Burke briefs President on spacecraft (11:20). JFK ride shuttle through company’s main spacecraft and airplane manufacturing and assembly areas; Views of first Gemini details being fabricated and McDonnell F-4C Phantom II in various stages of assembly (13:00). While riding around on shuttle, JFK continues to shake hands of employees (13:35). JFK gets close-up view of completed McDonnell F-4C Phantom II, plane elevated on jacks to fully display various components and elements (13:49). Close-up JFK in shuttle being driven by James McDonnell, tour continues and JFK brought to a classified briefing on company’s space age plans (14:59). Air Force One Boeing VC-137B on tarmac (first of three Boeing 707s acquired in 1959 as presidential aircraft, designated the VC-137 series) (16:07). Group of well-dressed women walk out to tarmac (16:14). JFK and entourage escorted back to plane on electric jitney shuttles after completing 2.5 hour tour of factor (16:24). James McDonnell gives final handshake before JFK returns to plane, other members of entourage follow suit (17:22). Air Force One plane taxis and prepares for take off (18:09). Closing credits (18:32). Film ends (18:37).

Transcription

e [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] Wednesday 12 September 1962 was an exciting historical day in the lives of the employees of McDonald aircraft Corporation for on that day John F Kennedy president of the United States paid a special visit to the St Louis firm which produced America's first manned orbital spacecraft for the National Aeronautics and Space administration's project Mercury [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] the tanned and smiling president receives a rousing reception as JS mcdonal founder chairman and chief executive officer as escorts him to the speaker [Music] stand the president greets Senator Edward B long and Governor John M Dalton of Missouri mayor Raymond R Tucker of St Louis and other honored guests moments later Mr McDonald officially welcomes President Kennedy to St Louis and introduces him to the assembled guests and onlookers this is ma calling all Personnel this is ma calling all the team uh our little Aerospace company uh has a new high today we are honored to have with us the president of the United States in uh Houston this morning the president's told his audience quote for the eyes of the world and its Restless Millions Now look up and out to space to the moon and to the planets Beyond and we have vowed that they shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of Conquest but by a banner of Peace we have vowed that they shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction but with instruments of knowledge and understanding yet the vows of this nation can only be fulfilled if we in this nation are first and therefore we intend to be first unquote as many of our teammates here know that has been the feelings with which we have worked with NASA in going into space as a means of peaceful competition and a way of finding wonderful and creative uh substitutes for war while giving release to the competitive spare of the mankind I present to you the president of the United States Mr McDonald senator Governor Mr Mayor I want to express my very warm thanks to all of you I know that some of you are on the first shift which is and some on the second shift and I appreciate very much you're coming out and uh saying hello this is a most important effort in which you're all involved building these planes which help protect the security of the United States and the dozens of countries which are associated and allied with us all around the world which would not be free if it were not for the power and the determination of the United States and also because of your efforts in the field of space as Mr McDonald said no one can tell exactly what the future holds there but it is an unexplored sea it is essential that the United States participate in this great adventure it is essential that the United States be first and therefore we depend upon you the United States every citizen of this country is involved in this effort as I pointed out this morning it cost every citizen man women and a child today 40 cents a week to be involved merely in the effort in space it will shortly cost them 50 cents a week every citizen of this country has a stake and is participating in this effort but it all comes to you to those in Houston to those in cap Canaveral to those in MIT to those on the West Coast who perform the vital functions which make it possible to put one man or two men first in orbit around the Earth and then in orbit around the moon and then on the moon and then come back and you are part of that great effort and I can imagine no action no Adventure which is more essential and more exciting than to be involved in the most important and significant Adventure that any man has been able to participate F in in the history of the world and it's going to take place in this decade and I congratulate you on what you have done and I congratulate you and being part of this adventure thank you thank you Mr President [Music] the president then begins a tour of the plant [Music] oh [Music] he shows a keen interest in the Phantom 2 which McDonald produces in both Navy and Air Force versions and is given a view of the phatom in flight [Music] la la [Music] the president and his party which included James E Webb administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration David E Bell director of the Bureau of the budget and scientists senators and congressmen are then escorted to a briefing on the gmany program Walter F Burke vice president and manager of the company's Mercury and gmany programs briefs the president on the gmany spacecraft which has the same basic shape as the Mercury spacecraft but weighs about twice as much the geminy will carry two American astronauts on an extended mission in space and we'll Rendevous with another satellite while in orbit the president along with Mr Webb and Mr McDonald listens intently as Mr Burke clarifies the complicated instrument panel and controls of this detailed full-scale engineering mockup [Music] oh [Music] the president chauffeured by Mr McDonald begins a tour of the company's main spacecraft and airplane manufacturing and assembly areas in the spacecraft manufacturing area the president saw details of the first gmany Vehicles being fabricated and then proceeded past the Phantom 2 in various stages of assembly [Music] the president is given a close-up view of the Phantom Which flies at over 1600 mph well over twice the speed of sound [Music] this operational Phantom has been supplied with electrical and hydraulic power and elevated on Jacks to show the operation of all control surfaces canopies the landing gear and other components [Music] n [Music] Mr McDonald then escorts the president to an extended classified briefing of the company's Space Age plans [Music] following this briefing by officers of the company President Kennedy winds up his 2 and 1 half hour visit and is driven past wellwishers to his airplane for his flight back to Washington thus concluding a quick but thorough two-day tour of four of America's major space centers the George C Marshall space flight center at Huntsville Alabama Cape canaval Florida NASA's man space flight center at Houston Texas and mcdonal in St Louis [Music] at the president's departure he stated that he was greatly impressed by what he saw in St Louis that it was an outstanding example of the way an American Business Enterprise can cooperate in a great National program he was more confident than ever he said that our space efforts will be successful after seeing the work done here [Music] w [Music] [Music] oh

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