James McCormack

James McCormack Jr.
Born	Template:Birth date Chatham, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	January 3, 1975(1975-01-03) (aged 64) Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Military officer, government official
Years active	1932–1955 (military)
Known for	Director of Military Applications at the United States Atomic Energy Commission; Chairman of Communications Satellite Corporation; Chairman of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

James McCormack Jr. (November 8, 1910 – January 3, 1975) served as an officer in the United States Army during the Second World War and was appointed as the inaugural Director of Military Applications at the United States Atomic Energy Commission.

A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1932, McCormack was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Hertford College, Oxford, where he completed a Master of Arts degree in Romance languages. He further attained a Master of Science in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1942, he joined the War Department General Staff. Between July 1, 1944, and May 28, 1945, he held the position of Chief of the Movements Branch for the Twelfth United States Army Group before returning to serve within the Operations and Plans Division of the War Department.

In 1947, McCormack was designated as Director of Military Applications at the Atomic Energy Commission, holding the rank of brigadier general. He adopted a practical stance regarding nuclear weapons management and was an advocate for Edward Teller’s work on thermonuclear weapons development. After transferring to the United States Air Force in 1950, he assumed the role of Director of Nuclear Applications at the Air Research and Development Center in 1952. He was subsequently promoted to major general and appointed Deputy Commander of the Air Research and Development Command.

Upon retiring from military service in 1955, McCormack became head of the Institute for Defense Analysis, a nonprofit organization established by ten universities to support scientific research for the Department of Defense. In 1958, while serving as MIT’s vice president for industrial and governmental relations, he proposed utilizing the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics as a foundation for a new space agency—an initiative that led to the creation of NASA. Additionally, he chaired the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and was chairman of the Communications Satellite Corporation from 1965 until 1970.

Early life and career

Born on November 8, 1910, in Chatham, Louisiana, James McCormack Jr. attended Riverside Military Academy located in Gainesville, Georgia prior to his admission to the United States Military Academy at West Point on July 2, 1928. He graduated on August 14, 1932, ranking nineteenth in his class and commissioning as a second lieutenant within the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Subsequently, he pursued studies at Hertford College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Romance languages that was later converted to a Master of Arts. Promoted to first lieutenant in August 1935, McCormack returned stateside to serve with the 8th Engineers at Fort McIntosh, Texas, where he commanded a troop.

In June 1936, he enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, completing his Master of Science degree in civil engineering by August 1937. His thesis was conducted under the guidance of Kenneth C. Reynolds as part of a collaborative effort. Following this, he attended specialized training at the Engineering School located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. By June 1938, he had assumed duties as Assistant Project Engineer for the Sardis Reservoir Project near Vicksburg, Mississippi.

World War II

In October 1939, McCormack reported to Fort Benning, Georgia to serve as company commander with the 21st Engineers. He earned promotion to captain on September 9, 1940, and took on responsibilities as adjutant for the 20th Engineers at Fort Benning before leading the 76th Engineer Company at Fort McClellan, Alabama starting mid-1941. After completing coursework at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, he advanced to major on February 1, 1942, and joined the War Department General Staff. From March 1942 until March 1943, he acted as Assistant Chief of the Types and Allowances Branch within G-4; during this period he was promoted to lieutenant colonel on October 9, 1942. He then served as Chief of G-4’s Construction Branch until September 1943.

In October 1943, McCormack took command as Chief of Transportation Branch for the First United States Army Group, receiving promotion to colonel on December 1 that year. On July 1, 1944, he assumed leadership as Chief of Movements Branch for Twelfth United States Army Group, holding this position through May 1945. His contributions during European operations were recognized with awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, honorary British Commander rank within the Order of the British Empire, French Croix de guerre with silver star distinction, and appointment as Chevalier of France’s Legion of Honor.

Returning to staff duties at the War Department in June 1945, McCormack joined the Policy Section under Strategy and Policy Group and was elevated to assistant section chief by September. He later led the Politico-Military Survey Section until August 1946. For this service period he received an oak leaf cluster addition to his Legion of Merit decoration.

Cold War

At a pivotal moment in his career during early 1947, McCormack was named Director of Military Applications at the newly established United States Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), where he supervised the development of nuclear energy and weaponry. This position mandated an active-duty officer; although Brigadier General Kenneth Nichols was initially preferred, conflicts with AEC commissioners resulted in McCormack's appointment and subsequent promotion to brigadier general.

Adopting a practical stance on the management of nuclear arms, McCormack recognized the necessity for military personnel to acquire proficiency in their upkeep and operation, while simultaneously acknowledging the Congressional authority vested in the AEC. He navigated these parameters to promote military utilization of nuclear technology.

He collaborated with Edward Teller on advancing thermonuclear weapons, known as "the Super," supporting their potential for megaton-level explosive power. Under his direction, Los Alamos National Laboratory, led by Norris Bradbury, prioritized this initiative despite competing projects. The Super's development sparked debate among military branches and scientists such as Robert Oppenheimer concerning its viability. Although early models were unsuccessful, continued efforts culminated in the Teller-Ulam design, enabling powerful thermonuclear devices. For his stewardship as Director of Military Applications, McCormack was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

Later life

On 25 July 1950, McCormack transitioned to the United States Air Force. After departing from the AEC in August 1951, he served as Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Development. In January 1952, he assumed the role of Director of Nuclear Applications at the Air Research and Development Center located in Baltimore, Maryland. Elevated to major general, he also became Deputy Commander of the Air Research and Development Command. During the Oppenheimer security hearing, McCormack testified in support of Oppenheimer’s loyalty, asserting that his resistance to the Super program was neither deceitful nor disloyal.

Upon retiring from active duty in 1955, McCormack was appointed as the inaugural leader of the Institute for Defense Analysis, a nonprofit organization established by ten universities to assist Department of Defense scientific efforts. In 1958, he took on the position of vice president for industrial and governmental relations at MIT. He suggested leveraging the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics as a foundation for creating a new space agency, which eventually became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

In 1964, Massachusetts Governor Endicott Peabody named McCormack Chairman of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The following year, in October 1965, he assumed leadership of the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) with an annual salary of $125,000. To dedicate himself fully to this responsibility, he resigned from all corporate board memberships and relinquished his role at MIT. As head of this quasi-governmental entity, McCormack aligned COMSAT’s initiatives with directives from Congress and the President, successfully advocating for Congressional approval to declassify plans for a domestic satellite system designed to connect television networks. He stepped down as chairman in 1970 due to health concerns but continued serving as a director.

McCormack passed away at his winter residence on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on 3 January 1975. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery. His survivors included his wife Eleanor née Morrow; son Major James R. McCormack; and daughter Anne M. Stanton.