Partridge

Plaintiff, James A. Partridge, was formerly employed as a physicist in the Lewis Research Center (Center) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Cleveland, Ohio. As a part of an agency-wide reduction-in-force *682(RIF) program, plaintiff was notified by letter of August 17, 1970, that his position at the Center would be abolished. In this case, which is before the court on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment, plaintiff seeks reinstatement, back pay, and other benefits.

The facts pertinent to the motions presently before the court are as follows:

After plaintiff was…