Mr. John P. Amerspek

Mr. John P. Amerspek was born in Passaic, New Jersey in 1921. He graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1951 receiving a Bachelor’s Degree and from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 1956 receiving a Master’s degree.

Mr. Amerspek served his country for over 40 years and began his career during the Second World War, having participated in the North African, Mediterranean and European Theaters, including the harrowing invasion at Anzio. Following his service in WWII, Mr. Amerspek played a number of important roles within the Ordnance community, including research & development engineering, system acquisitions, program management, financial analysis and armament systems where he served in successive staff and supervisory positions.

Beginning in 1951, Mr. Amerspek began work at Picatinny Arsenal as a pyrotechnics engineer. His body of work includes extensive involvement in 40mm munitions, mines, hand grenades, missile warheads, nuclear projectiles, artillery, and aircraft armament. He transitioned in 1962 to serve as a program manager for Selected Ammunition, eventually being promoted to Chief, Program Management Division. In this highly classified program, Mr. Amerspek directed, coordinated, and controlled activities involving program planning and execution spanning across three services.

Following assignment as the Selected Ammunition Chief of Program Management Division, Mr. Amerspek transitioned to Project Manager CAWS/JPM Guided Projectiles, Deputy Project Manager.

Mr. John Amerspek retired in 1981.