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Emerson LeRoy Cummings

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Emerson LeRoy Cummings
Born(1902-03-16)16 March 1902
New Boston, Michigan
Died24 January 1986(1986-01-24) (aged 83)
Zephyrhills, Florida
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1924–1962
RankLieutenant General
CommandsFifth United States Army
United States Army, Japan
Chief of Ordnance
Battles / warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal

Emerson LeRoy Cummings (16 March 1902 – 24 January 1986) was a United States Army lieutenant general who served as the 19th Chief of Ordnance for the United States Army Ordnance Corps, and commander of the Fifth United States Army.

Early life

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Cummings was born in New Boston, Michigan on 16 March 1902.[1] He graduated from Eastern High School in Bay City, Michigan.[2] Cummings went on to graduate fourth in his class from the United States Military Academy on 12 June 1924[3] and was assigned to the Engineer branch.[4]

Early career

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In 1926, Cummings completed a program in civil engineering at Cornell University.[5][6] He graduated from the Engineer Officer Course in 1927.[7]

In the 1920s and early 1930s Cummings served in Engineer assignments throughout the United States, including a staff position with the federal Alaska Road Commission and a posting to Fort Lewis, Washington.[8][9] Cummings received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1933.[10] In 1934, he graduated from the Ordnance Officer Course.[11] Cummings formally transferred to the Ordnance Department on 12 February 1936.[12]

Cummings presents award to Thomas H. Coulter, Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry, 29 July 1961

In 1939, Cummings graduated from the Command and General Staff School and the Chemical Warfare Course.[12] In the early 1940s Cummings served as assistant to the chief of the artillery division in the Ordnance Department's Industrial Service Division.[13]

World War II

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During World War II Cummings was head of the army's industrial operations in Detroit, overseeing production of combat vehicles and other materiel. He was then assigned to command of the Ordnance Department's industrial division in Europe.[14]

Post-war

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Cummings continued his Ordnance career after World War II. He graduated from the National War College in 1948.[12] In the late 1940s Cummings was chief of the Parts and Supplies Branch in the Ordnance Branch's Engineering Materials Division.[15]

In the early 1950s Cummings served as chief the Ordnance Corps' Industrial Division.[16] While in this assignment Cummings also served as the Army's Assistant Chief of Ordnance.[17]

In November 1953, Cummings was promoted to major general and became the 19th Chief of Ordnance for the Army. He organized the Commodity Command and established the Project Manager System as the exceedingly complex missile systems came into being. During his tenure, the Explorer, the first U.S. satellite, was developed and placed into orbit. He promoted good relations with industry, drawing in part on his World War II experiences with civilian manufacturers, by means of Industry Advisory Groups. The M14 rifle, utilizing 7.62mm cartridge, was developed during his time in office.[18][19][20][21]

After completing his term as Chief of Ordnance, from 1958 to 1960 Cummings was assigned as deputy commander of the Eighth United States Army, simultaneously serving as commander of U.S. Army, Japan.[22][23][24]

From 1961 to 1962, Cummings served as commander of the Fifth United States Army in Chicago.[25][26]

Retirement and awards

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Cummings retired in March 1962.[2][27] His awards included two Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.[28][29]

In retirement Cummings resided in Largo, Florida.[30] He operated a woodworking shop as a hobby, and also volunteered as a set builder for the Little Theater of Clearwater, remaining active almost until his death.[31]

In 1972, Cummings was inducted into the Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame.[32] He died in Zephyrhills, Florida on January 24, 1986[33] and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on 3 February 1986.[34]

References

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  1. ^ Newspaper article, Chief of Ordnance, by United Press International, published in The Holland (Michigan) Journal, November 2, 1953
  2. ^ a b "Emerson Leroy Cummings". Assembly. Vol. XLVI, no. 1. June 1987. p. 159. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  3. ^ "Class of 1924—Register of Graduates". Official Register of the Officers and Cadets. United States Military Academy. 1971. p. 376. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  4. ^ Genealogical Succession, Graduates of the United States Military Academy[permanent dead link‍], excerpted from the Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, published by the Alumni Society, 2005, page 1
  5. ^ The Cornellian, Cornell University Yearbook, published by the University, 1926, Volume 58
  6. ^ Cornell Alumni Newsletter, May 16, 1940, page 396
  7. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 166
  8. ^ The Cornell Civil Engineer, published by Cornell University Association of Civil Engineers, 1928, Volumes 37–38, page 1928
  9. ^ U.S. Federal Census entry, Emerson LeRoy Cummings family
  10. ^ Serving the Line with Excellence: the Development of the US Army Ordnance Corps, as Expressed Through the Lives of its Chiefs of Ordnance, 1812–1987, With a Short Sketch of the History of Army Ordnance, 1775–1987, published by U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, 1987, page 62
  11. ^ Biographical register of the officers and graduates of the United States Military Academy, by George Washington Cullum, updated by Edward Singleton Holden, Volume 8, Part 2 Page 561
  12. ^ a b c U.S. Army Register: United States Army Active and Retired Lists. Vol. I. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1 January 1960. p. 238. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  13. ^ SAE Journal, published by Society of Automotive Engineers, 1941, Volume 46, page 31
  14. ^ Newspaper article, New Ordnance Chief Takes Job, by Associated Press, published in the Anderson (Indiana) Herald, November 3, 1953
  15. ^ Hearing Record, Investigation of the National Defense Program, published by U.S. Senate, 1948, Volume 25–26, Page 11926
  16. ^ Newspaper article, Fire Power Biggest Need to Win War in Korea, Says Ordnance General, Syracuse Post-Standard, December 11, 1951
  17. ^ Hearing Record, Ammunition Shortages in the Armed Services, published by U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 1953, page 381
  18. ^ Sterling, Keir (1992). Serving the Line with Excellence 1775–1992. U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Historical Studies. pp. 62–63.
  19. ^ Newspaper article, Maj. Gen. Cummings Will Head Ordnance, New York Times, October 8, 1953
  20. ^ Newspaper article, Youngest Army Ordnance Chief Takes Office, Los Angeles Times, November 3, 1953
  21. ^ List, Chiefs of Ordnance, 1918 to 1962 Archived 2017-01-23 at the Wayback Machine, Principal Officials of the War Department and Department of the Army, 1900–1963, published by United States Army Center of Military History, Page 407
  22. ^ Newspaper article, U.S. to Shift Japan Command, New York Times, November 15, 1958
  23. ^ Japan Quarterly, 1959, Volume 6, page 265
  24. ^ Newspaper article, General Succeeds Admiral: 10 Other Changes in Top Assignments Made by Pentagon, White House, Reading Eagle, December 2, 1960
  25. ^ Newspaper article, Ike Appoints New 5th Army Commander Archived 2012-10-26 at the Wayback Machine, Chicago Tribune, December 3, 1960
  26. ^ Newspaper article, 5th Army Gets a New Boss on Wednesday, Chicago Tribune, January 29, 1961
  27. ^ Newspaper article, Cummings, 5th Army Chief, if Retiring at 60, Chicago Daily Tribune, March 28, 1962
  28. ^ Alphabetical Index of Recipients, Major U.S. Military Awards Archived 2018-03-16 at the Wayback Machine, Military Times, Hall of Valor
  29. ^ Official U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1961, page 120
  30. ^ Newspaper article, Head of 5th Army to Retire, New York Times, February 25, 1962
  31. ^ Newspaper article, Cummings and Set Crew Deserve Hardy Applause, St. Petersburg Times, February 14, 1977
  32. ^ Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame Induction by Year Page Archived 2009-12-27 at the Wayback Machine, U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Association Web Site
  33. ^ Social Security Death Index
  34. ^ "Cummings, Emerson L". ANCExplorer. U.S. Army. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of Ordnance of the United States Army
1953–1958 		Succeeded by
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