Mr. John J. Bergstrom

Mr. John J. Bergstrom was born in Waterloo, Iowa on November 29, 1925. He began his career as a mathematician in the research and development of ordnance with the Research and Development Division of the Chamberlain Manufacturing Company, achieving the position of General Manager, R&D.

In the 1950s, he was concerned with the development of high explosive plastic shells. He was also involved with the development of projectiles loaded with submissiles, and urged the development of guided or "smart" weapons for attacking targets where large amounts of energy are required for complete destruction. Mr. Bergstrom also developed Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) projectiles for antitank use.

In the early 1970s, Mr. Bergstrom became a corporate officer at Chamberlain, subsequently rising to President, later serving as a Director, Vice-Chair, and Executive Vice-President of Mason Chamberlain Incorporated and as head of the Chamberlain Technology Group. As Program, General and Executive manager, he was involved over the years in the development of the Nike Ajax, Sidewinder, Maverick, Multi-purpose, Hard Structure Munitions, AAMRAM, Standard Missile II, and Patriot missile warheads.

He was Secretary of the Bomb and Warhead section of the American Defense Preparedness Association for many years, and was presented with their Firepower Award in 1986.