Samuel Feltman

Samuel Feltman (1899 - September 6, 1951) was, at the time of his death, Associate Chief of the Research and Materials Branch and Chief of the Ballistic Section of the U.S. Army Ordnance Research and Development Division. He was centrally involved in the development of the first electronic computer, ENIAC, of the hypersonic wind tunnel, and of "Atomic Annie", the first nuclear artillery shell. Feltman proposed the ballistic characteristics of such weapons as the 90mm and 120mm antiaircraft guns, the 8‑inch gun, the 240mm howitzer, and many other weapons. In 1944, he was awarded the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, the highest award given by the Army to a civilian. In honor of his service and contributions,the Picatinny Arsenal dedicated a building in his name, "The Samuel Feltman Ammunition Laboratory," Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, New Jersey.

Feltman was born and raised in Long Branch, New Jersey. He joined the Army Ordnance Corps at the Sandy Hook Proving Ground in 1918, and served at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. He also spent time serving as "what amounted to the permanent under-chief of the ballistics work in Washington" (D.C.). Feltman was killed at the age of 52 in an auto accident, along with his wife and father-in-law.