Emory S. Land
Emory Scott Land (January 9, 1879 – November 27, 1971) was an officer in the United States Navy, noted for his contributions to naval architecture, particularly in submarine design. Notable assignments included serving as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair during the 1930s, and as Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission during World War II.
Emory S. Land
Emory Scott Land
January 9, 1879[3]
Cañon City, Colorado
November 27, 1971 (aged 92)
Bethesda, Maryland
United States
1902–1946
Chairman, U.S. Maritime Commission
Early life and education[edit]
From Cañon City, Colorado, Land graduated from the University of Wyoming with an A.B. degree in 1898. He then entered the United States Naval Academy, graduating on May 21, 1902. Though only 135 to 140 pounds, he played football as a halfback for four years in Laramie and four years at Annapolis. In 1900, he scored the game-winning touchdown in the Army-Navy game after recovering a blocked kick.[1][2][4]
Following two years of sea duty, he became a naval architect specializing in submarine construction. In 1907, Land earned a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wyoming and an M.S. degree in naval architecture and marine engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In June 1939, he returned to the University of Wyoming to receive an honorary doctor of laws degree.[4][5][6]
On April 15, 1909, Land married Elizabeth Catharine Stiles in Newton Centre, Massachusetts.[3][7] In her honor, Admiral Land created the Betty Styles Land Memorial Fund to finance the Ships Literary Club, known as “the public library of the seas,” which provided free books for merchant seamen.
Later life and death[edit]
Land served as President of the Air Transport Association of America from 1946 to 1957 and worked as a consultant for General Dynamics Corporation until his death in November 1971 at age 92. He lived in Washington, D.C., and continued to walk several miles daily, but died at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.[1][2] Land was buried beside his wife at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia.[17]
Land's personal decorations include: