James A. Rafferty

[3][9] Rafferty became a Vice President of Union Carbide, the parent company of the CCCC, in 1938, a Director in 1941, and a member of the executive committee in 1944.

This effort culminated in Union Carbide designing (along with the Kellex Corporation), building, and operating the massive K-25 gaseous diffusion plant at Oak Ridge.

Every company was run in a different way, and often it took some inquiring to find out who was the driving spirit, the executive with the real power of authority in a large corporation.

It was common knowledge at Union Carbide that one of the driving forces behind the company's spectacular growth was the executive vice-president, James A. Rafferty.

"[19] An executive with drive and vision, Rafferty contributed tremendously to the birth and fantastic growth of a new industry in America: synthetics made from petroleum rather than from coal, as they had been formerly.

As for Rafferty, he was a firm believer in the American system of free enterprise and the importance of industry's participation in the war effort.

"[11] Rafferty was impressed by Groves's earnest persuasion; he promised to discuss the matter with the top people of those Carbide units that would be involved.

Mr. James Rafferty, Vice President of Union Carbide - construction and operation of gas diffusion plant in Clinton.

Rafferty led Union Carbide's efforts in producing butadiene which would then be polymerized in a synthetic rubber production process.

The Baruch Committee in 1941 had reported to President Roosevelt: "Of all critical and strategic materials, rubber is the one which presents the greatest threat to the safety of our nation and the success of the Allied cause.

[25][26] The Carbide and Carbon Chemicals Corporation should be extremely proud of the part it has played in the success of the synthetic rubber program.