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Cpl. Francis X. Podgurski

2004.1.tif

Induction Photograph of Cpl. Francis X. Podgurski USA

Cpl. Francis X. Podgurski (11/12/33 - 1/18/82) served for two years at the dawn of the space age as an Army Radar Operator at the Signal Missile Support Agency at White Sands Missile Development Center at Holloman AFB, White Sands, NM.  According to a description of the mission published in 1958: "[Holloman engaged] in direct research and developmental testing of guided missile weapon systems to support the exploration of the extreme reaches of the earth's atmosphere and beyond by means of rockets, balloons and complex instrumentation.  [The facility conducted] research related to the hazards of human flight through interplanetary space [to] enlarge the physical and intellectual dimensions of the environment of man." His wife Mona worked at the High Speed Test Track at Holloman AFB.

2004.2.tif

Radar Operator Cpl. Francis X. Podgurski and a colleague, likely during an early-morning missile test at Holloman AFB

Cpl. Francis X. Podgurski (11/12/33 - 1/18/82) served for two years at the dawn of the space age as an Army Radar Operator at the Signal Missile Support Agency at White Sands Missile Development Center at Holloman AFB, White Sands, NM.  According to a description of the mission published in 1958: "[Holloman engaged] in direct research and developmental testing of guided missile weapon systems to support the exploration of the extreme reaches of the earth's atmosphere and beyond by means of rockets, balloons and complex instrumentation.  [The facility conducted] research related to the hazards of human flight through interplanetary space [to] enlarge the physical and intellectual dimensions of the environment of man." His wife Mona worked at the High Speed Test Track at Holloman AFB.