There were shortages of material during World War II. How did Oak Ridge get the supplies it needed?
On the job for just two days… 75 years ago on September 19th…
Lieutenant Colonel Groves with letter in hand, (he wouldn’t be formally promoted to Brigadier General for another four days) goes to meet with the head of the War Production Board Donald Nelson. Groves requested, almost demanded, a AAA rating for The Manhattan Project, which meant it would get the highest priority for any and all materials during the war. The prepared letter Groves had in hand, was from Nelson to Groves approving the AAA rating. All Nelson had to do was sign it.
Nelson turned down his request. Groves, not missing a beat, said he would have to go to FDR and recommend The Manhattan Project be abandoned because The War Production Board was unwilling to support Groves’ request.
This brash, young Lieutenant Colonel, just two days on the job, left Nelson’s office with the letter signed.
Oh, by the way…that same day, Groves approved the condemnation of 58,000 acres of land 20 miles outside Knoxville for the building of the largest scientific, industrial project in the history of mankind. Many consider this “the birthday” of Oak Ridge, Tennessee.