A Memoir of Korean War Veteran Joseph McRoberts

BJ University of Missouri, 1950; Reporter Illinois State Journal, Springfield, IL, 1950; 3rd Inf. Div. Forward Observers & Liaison Officer, Korea, ’52; Newswriter, Columbia Broadcasting System Chicago, ’53; Public Affairs, Office of Civil Defense, Battle Creek, MI, ’55; Information Officer, Office, Chief of Engineers, (Army) Washington, D.C., ’59; Public Affairs Officer, New Chief, NASA Headquarters & Goddard Space Flight Center, MD, ’62-’80; Nasa Contractor ’80-’83; KSC rehired annuitant ’85-’91.
Joseph was involved in all areas of public affairs planning, writing and presentation. Includes creating and implementing public affairs activities of high-profile national and international space missions; writing and editing press kits, news releases, statements and speeches for top NASA officials; conducting news conferences, briefings and related media activities. Responsible for overall public affairs management of numerous space missions including weather, communications, earth resources, scientific, solar and planetary spacecraft. Worked Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Mars, Mercury and lunar missions. Wrote, produced and directed numerous TV news clips used by all networs and TV stations nationally and internationally including interviews with mission managers, scientists, principal investigators. Interfaced with all major national and international media, newspapers, wire services and magazines.NASA contractor activities: wrote initial Space Telescope book for NASA Headquarters and managed Space Shuttle news room for GSFC. As rehired annuitant worked Space Shuttle launches as information officer for KSC.