Emory Scott Land,
a native of Cannon City, Colorado, attended the University of
Wyoming prior to his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis,
Maryland. He entered the Academy as a Naval Cadet and graduated
with distinction on May 21, 1902. After two years at sea, then
required by law, he was commissioned an Ensign on May 2, 1904.
After leaving the Academy he became a Naval architect specializing
in submarine construction.
During World War
I, Vice Admiral Land was assigned for duty with the Board of Devices
and Plans Connected with Submarines in Warfare in May 1917; the
Board of Standardization of Submarines in September 1917; the
Staff of Admiral W. S. Sims, USN (Commander Naval Forces operating
in European Waters) at Naval Headquarters, London, England, in
July 1918; and the Allied Naval Armistice Commission. He was awarded
the Navy Cross for his work on submarine design and construction
and for work in the war zone. As Chief of the Bureau of Construction
and Repair from 1932 to 1937, he supervised the design and development
of submarines that formed the backbone of the U.S. Submarine Fleet
in World War II. On October 1,1932, Rear Admiral Land was designated
Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair, and remained there
until he retired from active duty on April 1, 1937. Within a month
he was appointed to the newly created U.S. Maritime Commission,
tasked with rehabilitating the Nation's rapidly declining merchant
fleet. On February 18, 1938, he became Chairman of the Commission,
relieving Joseph P. Kennedy. On February 9, 1942, following the
outbreak of WW II, he was also assigned as Administrator of the
War Shipping Administration. He served in the dual capacity until
the ending of hostilities. During the war he directed the design,
establishment and maintenance of a 6000 vessel merchant fleet,
the greatest maritime fleet in the history of the world. He was
responsible for the availability of shipping and the resultant
flow of manpower and munitions to war fronts extending from the
United Kingdom to Russia and from Alaska to the Middle East.
