Henry Aurand
Encyclopedia
Henry S. Aurand was a career United States Army
officer. He was a veteran of World War I
, World War II
and the Korean War
. Aurand served in the Coastal Artillery
branch. He later transferred to the Ordnance Corps
.
and was a member of the class of 1915, "the class the stars fell on
". During his military career he went on to attend the Army Ordnance School (1916), the Command and Staff College
(1928), the Army War College (1931), and the Army Industrial College (1940).
In 1920, he formally transferred to the Ordnance Corps. He served in the Philippines
from 1925 to 1927. He served on the faculty of the Ordnance School at Watertown Arsenal
from 1929 to 1930. From 1933 to 1939, he was an instructor for Logistics
at the Army War College.
. After that position he became the Chief of the International Division, Army Service Forces in 1942 and later that year he became the Secretary of the Combined Production Board. He finished 1942 as the Commanding General of the Sixth Service Command in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1944, Aurand was assigned as the Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer, European Theater of Operations
(ETOUSA) and Communications Zone (ComZ). He then moved to become the Commanding General, Normandy Base Section, ComZ, ETOUSA later that same year. In 1945 he was the last Commanding General, United States Services of Supply, China Theater
(US SOS CT).
.
In 1947 Henry Aurand became the Director of Logistics, Department of the Army and in 1949 Commanding General, United States Army, Pacific (CG USArPac), a position he held until his retirement in 1952.
He died in 1980.
Reshaped the U.S. military's logistics philosophy in many ways. For example, he convinced army planners to first calculate logistics capabilities before determining operational plans. Prior to this planning had begun with operations and then logistics had been examined to see if they could support the operational plan. Other examples of his revisionist thinking were his two principles of logistics, "Troops in action should never have to turn their backs on the enemy to fetch further supplies" and "Troops should not be encumbered with supplies beyond immediate needs".
He made extensive use of black supply troops in the ETO
. He believed that they could be as effective as any other group of soldiers provided their officers were allowed to act with the same authority as white troops. The success of the U.S. Army logistical operation in Europe, especially during the race across France in the fall of 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge
during the winter of 1944 to 1945 proved General Aurand correct.
He was instrumental in the acquisition of the 1/4 ton general purpose vehicle, the famous Jeep
.
Was one of the first to realize the importance of using computers in supply management when he saw them used during the Louisiana Maneuvers
. When he was appointed the commander of the Normandy Base Section, he had all ammunition requirements entered onto punchcards for computer entry.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer. He was a veteran of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. Aurand served in the Coastal Artillery
Coastal artillery
Coastal artillery is the branch of armed forces concerned with operating anti-ship artillery or fixed gun batteries in coastal fortifications....
branch. He later transferred to the Ordnance Corps
Ordnance Corps
The United States Army Ordnance Corps is a Sustainment branch of the United States Army, headquartered at Fort Lee, Virginia.-Mission Statement:The U.S...
.
Education
Henry Aurand attended the United States Military AcademyUnited States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
and was a member of the class of 1915, "the class the stars fell on
The class the stars fell on
"The class the stars fell on" is an expression used to describe the United States Military Academy class of 1915. In the U.S. Army, the insignia reserved for generals is one or more stars. Of the 164 graduates that year, 59 attained the rank of general, the most of any class in the history of the...
". During his military career he went on to attend the Army Ordnance School (1916), the Command and Staff College
Command and Staff College
The Command and Staff College was established in 1907 at Quetta, Balochistan, British Raj, now in Pakistan, and is the oldest and the most prestigious institution of the Pakistan Army. It was established in 1905 in Deolali and moved to its present location at Quetta in 1907 under the name of Quetta...
(1928), the Army War College (1931), and the Army Industrial College (1940).
Between the wars
Aurand served in a variety of positions prior to World War II. Leading up to the war he attended military schools and developed an expertise in logistics. As early as the mid 1930's he began to use principles of logistics that are still in use today.In 1920, he formally transferred to the Ordnance Corps. He served in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
from 1925 to 1927. He served on the faculty of the Ordnance School at Watertown Arsenal
Watertown Arsenal
The Watertown Arsenal was a major American arsenal located on the northern shore of the Charles River in Watertown, Massachusetts. Its site is now registered on the ASCE's List of Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks and on the U.S.'s National Register of Historic Places, and it is home to the...
from 1929 to 1930. From 1933 to 1939, he was an instructor for Logistics
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
at the Army War College.
World War II
General Aurand professional preparation paid off during World War II. He was tasked with a number of demanding high profile commands. In 1941 he was the Director of Defense Aid, the program that sent Lend Lease materials to the AlliesAllies
In everyday English usage, allies are people, groups, or nations that have joined together in an association for mutual benefit or to achieve some common purpose, whether or not explicit agreement has been worked out between them...
. After that position he became the Chief of the International Division, Army Service Forces in 1942 and later that year he became the Secretary of the Combined Production Board. He finished 1942 as the Commanding General of the Sixth Service Command in Chicago, Illinois.
In 1944, Aurand was assigned as the Assistant Chief Ordnance Officer, European Theater of Operations
(ETOUSA) and Communications Zone (ComZ). He then moved to become the Commanding General, Normandy Base Section, ComZ, ETOUSA later that same year. In 1945 he was the last Commanding General, United States Services of Supply, China Theater
(US SOS CT).
Postwar and Retirement
Aurand returned to the United States as the Commanding General of the Sixth Service Command, a position he had held during the war. Likewise he was again the last commander of a theater of operations for the U.S. Army, the Africa-Middle East Theater in 1946. To close out 1946, he was the last Director of Research and Development, War DepartmentUnited States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
.
In 1947 Henry Aurand became the Director of Logistics, Department of the Army and in 1949 Commanding General, United States Army, Pacific (CG USArPac), a position he held until his retirement in 1952.
He died in 1980.
Legacies and Accomplishments
Lieutenant General Aurand accomplishments during his career were diverse and wide ranging. The impact of some of his actions were fundamental to the success of the United States military during World War II and the Korean War.Reshaped the U.S. military's logistics philosophy in many ways. For example, he convinced army planners to first calculate logistics capabilities before determining operational plans. Prior to this planning had begun with operations and then logistics had been examined to see if they could support the operational plan. Other examples of his revisionist thinking were his two principles of logistics, "Troops in action should never have to turn their backs on the enemy to fetch further supplies" and "Troops should not be encumbered with supplies beyond immediate needs".
He made extensive use of black supply troops in the ETO
ETO
ETO may refer to:* Early termination option in a contract* Earned time off* Earth to orbit* Efforts to Outcomes Software* Electronics Technology Office * Electro-Technical Officer* Emitter Turn-Off thyristor* Engineering, Technology, Operations...
. He believed that they could be as effective as any other group of soldiers provided their officers were allowed to act with the same authority as white troops. The success of the U.S. Army logistical operation in Europe, especially during the race across France in the fall of 1944 and the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
during the winter of 1944 to 1945 proved General Aurand correct.
He was instrumental in the acquisition of the 1/4 ton general purpose vehicle, the famous Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
.
Was one of the first to realize the importance of using computers in supply management when he saw them used during the Louisiana Maneuvers
Louisiana Maneuvers
The Louisiana Maneuvers were a series of military exercises held all over north and west-central Louisiana, including Fort Polk, Camp Claiborne and Camp Livingston, in August and September 1941...
. When he was appointed the commander of the Normandy Base Section, he had all ammunition requirements entered onto punchcards for computer entry.
External links
- Arlington Cemetery retrieved 05/11/09
- Nomination for Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame retrieved 05/11/09