Tennessee Eastman Corporation
Knowing I would not have time to review all the visitor permit folders, I focused on the Tennessee Eastman Corporation monthly history summaries from 1944 and 1945. My grandfather began working there in late August 1944 and passed away in early July 1945, so I first checked the July and August 1945 records for any mention of his death. When I found nothing, I reviewed the August 1944 summary and discovered Mac listed as the new Tennessee Eastman field office procurement representative for District No. 1 in Boston, Massachusetts.
At the archives, researchers may use cell phones to photograph files and records. I photographed all the documents I intended to review, as well as others that clarified key aspects of the project. These images allowed me to continue my research after leaving the Archives. When my time ended, I returned the boxes to the archivist, gathered my belongings, and departed for the airport. I was pleased to find my grandfather’s name in the Manhattan Project records and that he held two very important roles, he was the Inspecting Engineer at Chapman Valve in Springfield, MA. In August 1944, he joined the Tennessee Eastman Corporation as the Boston Area Field Office representative for all projects at Oak Ridge, Tennessee
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4 responses to “Uncovering Family History: My Grandfather’s Engineering Legacy”
This has been amazing to read. My grandfather was an engineer at Chapman Valve and one of the employees tasked with top secret MP work. My understanding is he worked on valve designs and production. But he was also gone for a very long trip. My mom recalls her dad arriving at their home in a vehicle stripped of the exterior front body (open air driving) and a large lead box welded to the back trunk area. With the uranium work that Chapman Valve also completed along with valve work (rod production is my understanding from the USGov health settlements) a large lead box makes sense. He was home just to say good-bye with an awareness of the possibility he may not return. He was gone for quite a long time as my mom would recall. As I dig through family files, I hope to find out more information. I do have my grandfather’s Manhattan Project certificate, but I do not think we still have his atomic pin. I recall him using it as a fishing weight which is a story for another day.
Thank you for reading and for your comments. That is an amazing story to tell about the lead box and not seeing your grandfather being away with the possibility of never returning. I like how he used the A-Pin as a fishing weight too. These men did a lot and, in the end, the pin wasn’t something you could wear around the house but had many other uses.
William Bill Shackleford, received a certificate from the United States of America. Of when he helped design the Trigger mechanism of the atomic bomb. I was told that me and my siblings could received Royalties from our grandfather how do i get a copy of that certificate
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for reaching out. My research was conducted by searching through records at the National Archives. I’m not sure how you would access that certificate today. Have you reached out to the Department of Energy?
Best,
Anne