Defense: Top Hand at Rand

Of all the behind-the-scenes forces that have molded America's military muscle, none have been more influential—and few more mysterious—than California's Rand Corp., a private, nonprofit "think tank" located in a plain white building in Santa Monica. And of all the high-powered highbrows who have helped build Rand (for Research and Development), no one has been more effective than silver-haired, rough-featured Franklin R. Collbohm, 59, head of the organization since it was created under the patronage of Army Air Forces General Henry H. ("Hap") Arnold 20 years ago.

Sinology to Space. Under the...