Emory Scott Land – Vice Admiral, United States Navy

by

Vice Admiral Emory Scott Land (8 January 1879 – November 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.

esland-1936-usn-photo-01

From Cañon City, Colorado, Land graduated from the United States Naval Academy on 21 May 1902. Following two years of sea duty, he became a Naval Architect specializing in submarine construction.

During World War I, he served on the Board of Devices and Plans connected with Submarines in Warfare, the Board of Standardization of Submarines, and the staff of Admiral William S. Sims, who commanded all U.S. naval forces in European waters.

Land played a key role in the design of the S-class submarines from 1917 to 1919, the United States Navy’s first attempt to build a submarine capable of operating with the battle fleet. Land was vice chairman of the Navy’s postwar U-Boat Plans Committee in 1920. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his work on submarine design and construction and for work in the war zone.

From 1 October 1932 until 1 April 1937, Land was Chief of the Bureau of Construction and Repair. In this position, he played a major role in submarine development leading to the highly successful fleet boats of World War II.

Land retired in 1937, but on 18 February 1938 he became Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission, overseeing the design and construction of the more than 4,000 Liberty ships and Victory ships that flew the U.S. flag during World War II.

Admiral Land was also instrumental in overseeing the establishment of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, New York, as a commissioning source for officers entering the Merchant Marine and Naval Reserve in World War II.

On January 15, 1946, Vice Admiral Albert W. Land resigned as Chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission. For outstanding services, He was rewarded the Navy’s Distinguished Service Medal by the War Department.

Land served as President of the Air Transport Association of America from 1946-1957 and worked as a consultant for General Dynamics Corporation until his death in November 1971 at age 92.

Awards and honors:
Navy Cross
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Spanish Campaign Medal
Victory Medal(WWI) with Submarine Clasp
Honorary Commander of the Military Order of the British Empire 1921
Honorary Commander of the Military Order of the British Empire 1945
Grand Officer Second Class Polonia Restitute presented by Polish Government in Exile
Honorary Graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy

LAND, EMORY S.
Commander (CC), U.S. Navy
Date of Action: World War I

Citation:

The Navy Cross is presented to Emory Scott Land, Commander (CC), U.S. Navy, for distinguished service in the line of his profession in connection with the design and construction of submarines and for work in the war zone.

LAND, EMORY SCOTT
VADM USN

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 01/08/1878
  • DATE OF DEATH: 11/27/1971
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 2  SITE 3869 RH
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

LAND, ELIZABETH W/O LAN, EMORY SCOTT

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 09/09/1880
  • DATE OF DEATH: 03/13/1956
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 2  SITE 3869
    ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF ES LAND, V ADMR USN

Read our general and most popular articles

Leave a Comment