Edgar C. Erickson (July 18, 1896 – March 31, 1989) was a United States Army major general who served as chief of the National Guard Bureau.
Early life Edgar Carl Erickson was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on July 18, 1896, and was educated in the schools of Worcester.
Pancho Villa Expedition In April 1914, Erickson enlisted in Company H, 2nd Massachusetts Infantry. In 1916 he served with his unit on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition.New York Times, Gen. Erickson to End Long Career in Guard, May 2, 1959
World War I Erickson was a sergeant when he received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1917. He served with 2nd Battalion, 104th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division in France during World War I.Massachusetts Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1921, p. 1902
Post World War I After the war Erickson became a partner in Erickson Steel, a company formed to produce prefabricated buildings.The Iron Trade Review, Construction and Enterprise: East of the Mississippi River, Volume 70, February 2, 1922 He later worked as general manager of Worcester's Hedlund Coal Company.Domestic Engineering and the Journal of Mechanical Contracting, Volume 143, 1934, p. 94
In 1932 he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.United States Army Adjutant General, Official U.S. Army Register, 1957, p. 257
A Republican, he served in the Massachusetts State Senate from 1933 to 1936, representing Massachusetts Senate's 2nd Worcester district.Christian Science Monitor, , November 19, 1935Boston Globe, , November 5, 1936 He subsequently served as superintendent of the Worcester County Training School.Christian Science Monitor, , October 26, 1935
Having maintained his membership in the National Guard, by 1939 Erickson had risen to colonel and commander of the 181st Infantry Regiment.Boston Globe, , July 26, 1937
World War II Erickson served as the Adjutant General of Massachusetts from 1939 to 1942 with the rank of brigadier general.Boston Globe, , May 29, 1942
In 1940 he was also called to federal service as the Director of Selective Service for Massachusetts.Christian Science Monitor, , September 13, 1940
In 1942 Erickson accepted a reduction to colonel in order to serve in uniform overseas. He was assigned as liaison officer to the Chinese Nationalist Army for the remainder of the war.Christian Science Monitor, , April 13, 1943The National Guardsman, Guard Bureau Chief Retires, Volume 13, 1959, p. 4
Post World War II After the war Erickson was assigned to the National Guard Bureau. His assignments included: chief of the Infantry Regulations Branch; Chief of Plans; acting chief of the Army Division; and acting deputy chief of the National Guard Bureau.United States Civil Service Commission, Official Register of the United States, 1952, p. 118United States Senate Appropriations Committee, Hearing Reports, 1951, p. 1131
In 1953 Erickson was appointed chief of the National Guard Bureau, and he served until his 1959 retirement.New York Times, Taylor is Named to Four-Star Rank; Eisenhower Also Nominates Colonel Erickson to Head National Guard Bureau, June 11, 1953Hartford Courant, , July 7, 1959
As NGB chief, Erickson oversaw an increase in authorized personnel strength and a corresponding recruiting effort to fill the positions, as well as the fielding of the first jet fighters for units of the Air National Guard and the fielding of modern tanks for the Army National Guard's armor units.New York Times, 200 a Day Joining New Guard Plan, March 10, 1957Los Angeles Times, , February 15, 1954
Awards and decorations Erickson's awards included the Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army), Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal.Rep. Harold D. Donahue, Massachusetts Salutes Maj. Gen. Edgar C. Erickson: Extension of Remarks, Congressional Record, 1959, p. 12361
Retirement and death In retirement Erickson resided in Worcester and Sun City, Arizona. He died in Rutland, Massachusetts' Holden Nursing Home on March 31, 1989, and was buried at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton.Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Obituary, Edgar C. Erickson, April 1, 1989
Legacy The Erickson Trophy is awarded annually to the distinguished graduates of each of the state National Guard Officer Candidate Schools. The actual trophy and an inscribed list of recipients is maintained on display at National Guard Bureau, with replicas presented to each winner.National Guard Regulation 672-1, Trophies and Awards Program for the Army National Guard, Erickson Trophy , 2012, Chapter 12, p. 14
Family In 1920 he married Nancy I. Sundstrom (1898–1982). They had one son, Russell, who died in 1987.
See also 1933–1934 Massachusetts legislature 1935–1936 Massachusetts legislature
References
External links
Generals of World War II