WD thanks ‘Magnificent Mavericks' author for preserving China Lake history

Rear Adm. David Dunaway and Scott O'Neil thank Liz Babcock for writing the third volume of China Lake history, "Magnificent Mavericks". Photo by Dan O'Connor.

Date: 17-Dec-08
News Release Number: ECL200812171

Scott O'Neil, NAWCWD executive director, presented a copy of "Magnificent Mavericks" to author Elizabeth Babcock on Dec. 10 in appreciation for her work in preserving the history of the Navy at China Lake.

"This is a momentous occasion," O'Neil said. "This book documents a very important part of our history and includes some of our most interesting characters."

"Magnificent Mavericks" is the third volume of the history of the Navy's desert installation at China Lake. It begins in 1948 when the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) was just 5 years old. Through exhaustive research and interviews, Babcock documented key contributions that NOTS made to the Navy and the nation's defense from 1948 -1958.

Volume 1 of China Lake's history, "Sailors, Scientists and Rockets," was written by Albert B. Christman and chronicles the establishment of NOTS. Volume 2, "The Grand Experiment at Inyokern," was written by Christman and J.D. Gerrard-Gough. It picks up where the first volume left off with the construction and early use of China Lake's instrumented ranges, pilot plants and laboratories. Volume 3 begins with the dedication of the Michelson Laboratory in 1948 and ends about 10 years later.

"To me, my writing of this book is an example of the China Lake way of doing things," Babcock said. "In the beginning, I didn't exactly know how to write this book but I just stepped up and did it."

Babcock was presented a framed letter of appreciation signed by O'Neil and NAWCWD Commander Rear Adm. David Dunaway. The letter, in part, read, "We recognize that this was truly a labor of love for you…your initiative, dedication, passion to capture and tell these stories before they were gone is a huge contribution to naval history and the China Lake family."

Originally from Michigan, Babcock came to China Lake in 1960 and began working on the base as a writer in 1971. She began research for the book in 1987, doing more than 65 oral history interviews.

"I cherish all of the good friends I made while preparing this book, and am honored and privileged to know them," Babcock said. "This book is for those magnificent mavericks who defined the China Lake spirit. I hope they will be pleased with it."

Copies of "Magnificent Mavericks" will be available to the public for purchase soon. For more information, call the gift shop at China Lake's Naval Museum of Armament and Technology at 760-939-3530. Volumes 4 and 5 of the series on China Lake history are currently in the works by two other authors.

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