Final answer:
Wernher von Braun, who played a key role in Germany's missile program during WWII, is considered the father of the American space program. His expertise contributed greatly to NASA's achievements but raised ethical questions due to his past work during the Nazi era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The father of the American space program is Wernher von Braun, a German scientist who led the development of the V-2 missile during World War II. After the war, he and approximately 1,600 other German scientists and engineers were brought to the United States as part of Operation Paperclip to work on the U.S. missile and space programs. Von Braun's work was pivotal in the establishment of NASA and the success of American space missions, including the Apollo moon landings.
Regarding the moral and ethical considerations of employing former Nazi scientists, it is a complex issue. The decision to bring Nazi rocket scientists to the U.S. to help develop the American space program was driven by a pragmatic desire to exploit their expertise during the Cold War. This move was controversial due to the connections some of the scientists had with the Nazi regime; however, it also significantly accelerated the U.S.'s progress in rocketry and space exploration.