Cummins, Lawrence Delworth, CAPT

01Feb07 - Capt. L. D. Cummins, U.S. Navy (Ret.) was born on Feb. 18, 1921 in Webster Groves. Mo. He attended Washington University in St. Louis prior to entrance in the Naval Academy. He received his commission as ensign with the 1944 class. He progress from junior ensign on the USS Hughes in 1943 to gunnery officer in the closing stages of World War II and finally served as executive officer from December 1945 to September 1946.



He next reported to Commander Destroyer Flotilla Three and served with that staff in China as flag lieutenant and communications officer. His duty assignments have commanding officer of LSMR 403; aide to the commandant, Fourth Naval District; executive officer of the USS Newman K. Perry; command staff course, Naval War College; destroyer detail desk, Bureau of Naval Personnel; commanding officer of the USS Bauer; training and readiness section, staff commander cruiser-destroyer Force Pacific; commanding officer of the USS Towers; staff of Supreme Allied Commander, Europe; chief of Navy Section, MAAG, Denmark and assistant chief of staff, operations and readiness, staff of commander First Fleet.



Decorations and awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal with six battle starts, Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Asiatic,) China Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with two battle stars and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. He retired in 1971.



Del was the father to six children, three of his own: Larry Cummins of Bisbee, Ariz.; Karen Pida of Falls Church, Va.; Sharon Cummins of Chula Vista; and three of Pat's children; Kimberly Kelbe of Albuquerque, N.M.; Karen Kaufman of Coronado; and Kenneth Kaufman of San Diego



Del resided with his wife of 32 years, Patricia, in Coronado.



Services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.



Coronado Eagle & Journal

1/26/2007