Biography of Michael H. Maggelet

  U.S. Air Force retired. Nuclear weapons specialist and team chief from 1980 to 1995, certified on seven weapon systems to include the B43, B57, B61, B83 bombs, and AGM-69A Short Range Attack Missile. Certified by Sandia National Laboratories for specialized maintenance procedures.

  Living history volunteer with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks from 1995-2000 at Giant Springs Heritage State Park in Great Falls, Montana.

   Author and publisher of “Corps of Discovery Notes” research publication, bringing to light new information and documentation on the clothing, arms, and accoutrements in 120 articles on the Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1996-2001.

   Replicated two of the eight sections of Captain Meriwether Lewis’s iron frame boat, used as the basis for the public display at Harpers Ferry National Historic Park and reconstructed by park ranger Eric Johnson in 1999.

  Blacksmith Eric Johnson poses with a reproduction of Meriwether Lewis' iron frame boat. Michael H. Maggelet recreated two portions of the eight section iron frame (bow and center section), and donated research materials to Harpers Ferry, which was used as the basis for Johnson's effort to replicate the thirty eight foot frame.

   Author of “Researching Lewis and Clark”, published in “On The Trail” magazine in 1998, detailing the expedition’s portable soup (glue broth), tin containers, iron frame boat, and Harpers Ferry “short rifle” (Model 1803).

   Author of “The Short Rifles of the Lewis and Clark Expedition” in the March/April 2000 edition of “Muzzleloader” magazine, proving that the expedition’s “short rifles” were not modifications of existing rifles, but new production “Model 1803” rifles which differed only slightly from later variants (in not having a brass band on the forestock). These rifles were not cut down “Model 1792 Contract Long Rifles”, fantasy “Model 1800’s”, nor did they possess slings (as many authors incorrectly presume).

  Appeared in “Lewis and Clark, The Journey of the Corps of Discovery” by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan in 1997. Also appeared in “Lewis and Clark and Other Adventures” by the British Broadcasting Company, and a segment on period foods on the Food Network. 

  Featured speaker at the 1999 Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site Blackpowder Rendezvous, presenting the clothing, weapons, and accoutrements of the Corps of Discovery.

   Author of “Broken Arrow, The Declassified History of US Nuclear Weapons Accidents” with James C. Oskins. Our book brings to light previously classified information about US accidents via a three year Freedom of Information Act process.

   Author of “Broken Arrow, Volume II- A Disclosure of Significant US, Soviet, and British Nuclear Weapons Accidents and Incidents, 1945-2008), with James C. Oskins. This volume provides additional information and photographs on previously unknown incidents and accidents through the FOIA efforts of the authors. Submitted for the Pulitzer Prize in History in 2010. 

   Mike and co-author Jim Oskins interviewed by Professor Michio Kaku for his radio program “Exploration”, May 3rd, 2016.

   Author of several articles on unclassified nuclear weapons history for the Nuclear Weapons Technicians Association, to include “First Combat Atomic Weapons”, “North Korean Nuclear Weapons”, “East German Special Operations Forces”, “Soviet Spetsnaz”, “Early Soviet Nuclear Weapons”, and “Soviet Nuclear Depth Bombs”.

   Author of “North Korea’s Inevitable Nuclear Threat is Here” published in the August 2017 issue of "American Consequences" magazine, P.J. O’Rourke, Editor.

 

  For interview requests or historical consultation, please contact me at mhmaggelet "at" gmail.com