Emerson LeRoy Cummings (March 16, 1902 – January 24, 1986) was a

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

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 Fifth is the ordinal form of the number five. Fifth or The Fifth may refer to: * Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as in the expression "pleading the Fifth" * Fifth column, a political term * Fifth disease, a contagious rash that ...

Early life

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

Early career

In 1926, Cummings completed a program in civil engineering at Cornell University. He 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. Cummings formally transferred to the Ordnance Department on February 12, 1936. Emerson LeRoy Cummings

In 1939, Cummings graduated from the Command and General Staff School 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-war

Cummings continued his Ordnance career after World War II. He graduated from the

National War College The National War College (NWC) of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. History The National War Colle ...

in 1948. In the late 1940s Cummings 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

in Chicago.

Retirement and awards

Cummings retired in March 1962. His awards included two

Army Distinguished Service Medal The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration of the United States Army that is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. Th ...

s, the

Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...

and the

Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

. 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. In 1972, Cummings was inducted into the Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame. He died in

Zephyrhills, Florida Zephyrhills is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. The population was counted at 17,194 in the 2020 census. It is a suburb of the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. Zephyrhills is also known as the headquarters of the Zephyrhill ...

on January 24, 1986 and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on February 3, 1986.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cummings, Emerson Leroy 1902 births 1986 deaths People from Wayne County, Michigan United States Military Academy alumni Military personnel from Michigan Cornell University College of Engineering alumni MIT School of Engineering alumni United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni United States Army personnel of World War II Recipients of the Legion of Merit National War College alumni United States Army generals Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) People from Largo, Florida Burials at Arlington National Cemetery