Year Inducted: 1992
Philip W. Lett, president of PWL, Inc., is a nationally recognized consultant on defense issues. His career has been distinguished for research and development in a variety of combat and tactical vehicle systems, including the M1 series tank, now the country’s premier main battle tank. He has also been responsible in the development of the M48 series tank, the M60 series tank, the K1 tank for Korea, the T51 heavy recovery vehicle, the HET-70 heavy equipment transporter, the mobile assault bridge-ferry vehicle, and a number of tactical vehicles, amphibious vehicles, and technology demonstrator vehicles.
Lett was program manager for the M1 tank from conception to production, and general manager of the Chrysler Corporation Sterling Defense Division established to handle the program. He has also served as vice president for research and engineering for General Dynamics’ Land Systems Division. He is currently an active member of the NATO Industrial Advisory Group.
A graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Lett also holds the degree of master of science from the University of Alabama and the doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. He was also the recipient of a post-doctoral Sloan Fellowship from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which led to a master’s degree in industrial management.
Among the honors Lett has received, he was elected to the United States National Academy of Engineering in 1984, one of the highest professional distinctions that can be conferred on an engineer. That same year he was awarded the National Merit Cheonsu Medal from the Republic of Korea for his contributions to that country’s tank program. In 1987 he received the Distinguished Engineer Award from Auburn University, and in 1991, the Ben S. Gilmer Award for engineering excellence in recognition for his outstanding contributions to the field.
He also received the American Defense Preparedness Association’s silver medal in 1989, in recognition of outstanding service to defense. Listed in American Men and Women of Science and Leaders in American Science, Lett has shared his technical knowledge with a worldwide audience, and has published numerous articles related to defense matters. In his own community he serves on the board of trustees of Judson Center, and the board of Baptist Student Ministries at the University of Michigan. Lett and Wife Katy Lee are the parents of a son, Warren, and two daughters, Lisa and Kathy.
