Allegiance United States Name Emerson Cummings Years of service 1924–1962 Died 1986 | Battles/wars World War II | |
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Born March 16, 1902New Boston, Michigan ( 1902-03-16 ) Commands held Ordnance Corps, United States Army, Japan, United States Army North | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Emerson LeRoy Cummings (March 16, 1902 – January 24, 1986) was a United States Army Lieutenant General prominent as the Army’s Chief of Ordnance and commander of the Fifth United States Army.
Contents
- Early life
- Start of military career
- World War II
- Post World War II
- Retirement and awards
- Retirement
- Death
- Other
- References
Early life
Cummings was born in New Boston, Michigan on March 16, 1902. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1924 and was assigned to the Engineer branch.
Start of military career
In 1926 Cummings completed a program in civil engineering at Cornell University.
Cummings graduated from the Engineer Officer Course in 1927.
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. Cummings received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1933. In 1934 he graduated from the Ordnance Officer Course.
In 1939 Cummings graduated from the Command and General Staff College and the Chemical Warfare Course.
In the early 1940s Cummings served as assistant to the chief of the artillery division in the Ordnance Department’s Industrial Service Division.
World War II
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.
Post World War II
Cummings continued his Ordnance career after World War II. In the late 1940s he was chief of the Parts and Supplies Branch in the Ordnance Branch’s Engineering Materials Division.
In the early 1950s Cummings served as chief the Ordnance Corps’ Industrial Division. While in this assignment Cummings also served as the Army’s Assistant Chief of Ordnance.
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.
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.
From 1961 to 1962 Cummings served as commander of the Fifth United States Army in Chicago.
Retirement and awards
General Cummings retired in 1962. His awards included two Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.
Retirement
In retirement Cummings resided in Largo, Florida.
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.
Death
Cummings died in Zephyrhills, Florida on January 24, 1986.
Other
In 1972 Cummings was inducted into the Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame.