{{Short description|United States Army general (1898–1989)}} {{Infobox military person |name= Edgar C. Erickson |birth_date= July 18, 1896 |death_date= {{death date and age|1989|3|31|1896|07|18}} |birth_place= Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. |death_place= Rutland, Massachusetts, U.S. |burial_place= Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton, Massachusetts |burial_label= Place of burial |image=Erickson ec.jpg |caption=Major General Edgar C. Erickson as NGB Chief |nickname= |allegiance={{flag|United States of America}} |branch=25px United States Army |service_years=1914–1959 |service_number= 0-171317 |rank=25px Major General |commands=181st Infantry Regiment<br>Massachusetts Army National Guard<br> Chief of the National Guard Bureau |unit=Massachusetts Army National Guard<br>National Guard Bureau |battles= Pancho Villa Expedition<br>World War I<br />World War II |awards= Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)<br>Legion of Merit<br>Bronze Star Medal |other_work=Businessman<br>State legislator<br>State reform school superintendent }}
'''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.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C54ZAQAAMAAJ&q=%22edgar+c.+erickson%22+born+worcester |title=Army, Navy, Air Force Journal |date=1953 |publisher=Army and Navy Journal Incorporated |volume=90 |language=en |issue=27}}</ref>
==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.<ref>New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1959/05/02/archives/gen-erickson-to-end-long-career-in-guard.html Gen. Erickson to End Long Career in Guard], May 2, 1959</ref>
==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.<ref>Massachusetts Adjutant General, [https://books.google.com/books?id=T-GgAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22edgar+c.+erickson%22+second+lieutenant+1917&pg=RA2-PA1902 Annual Report], 1921, p. 1902</ref>
==Post World War I== After the war Erickson became a partner in Erickson Steel, a company formed to produce prefabricated buildings.<ref>The Iron Trade Review, Construction and Enterprise: East of the Mississippi River, Volume 70, February 2, 1922</ref> He later worked as general manager of Worcester's Hedlund Coal Company.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?ei=SQeAUZ_lEobg8ATh-oHYAQ&id=CqPmAAAAMAAJ&dq=erickson+worcester+hedlund+coal&q=erickson Domestic Engineering and the Journal of Mechanical Contracting], Volume 143, 1934, p. 94</ref>
In 1932 he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.<ref>United States Army Adjutant General, [https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19571unit#page/256/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Register], 1957, p. 257</ref>
A Republican, he served in the Massachusetts State Senate from 1933 to 1936, representing Massachusetts Senate's 2nd Worcester district.<ref>Christian Science Monitor, [https://archive.today/20130630043343/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/307723382.html?dids=307723382:307723382&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Nov+19,+1935&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=Election+Cost+Averted+As+Senator+Keeps+Seat&pqatl=google Election Cost Averted As Senator Keeps Seat], November 19, 1935</ref><ref>Boston Globe, [https://archive.today/20130630040826/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/2040367822.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+05,+1936&author=&pub=Daily+Boston+Globe+(1928-1960)&desc=F.+D.+Election+Flood+Still+Rising&pqatl=google F. D. Election Flood Still Rising], November 5, 1936</ref> He subsequently served as superintendent of the Worcester County Training School.<ref>Christian Science Monitor, [https://archive.today/20130630043309/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/307706472.html?dids=307706472:307706472&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Oct+26,+1935&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=New+Threat+Offered+Massachusetts+G.O.P.&pqatl=google New Threat Offered Massachusetts G.O.P.], October 26, 1935</ref>
Having maintained his membership in the National Guard, by 1939 Erickson had risen to colonel and commander of the 181st Infantry Regiment.<ref>Boston Globe, [https://archive.today/20130630043547/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/2047307232.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+26,+1937&author=&pub=Daily+Boston+Globe+(1928-1960)&desc=NEW+REGIMENTS+AT+CAPE+CAMP&pqatl=google New Regiments at Cape Camp], July 26, 1937</ref>
==World War II== Erickson served as the Adjutant General of Massachusetts from 1939 to 1942 with the rank of brigadier general.<ref>Boston Globe, [https://archive.today/20130630043522/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/2048117552.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+29,+1942&author=&pub=Daily+Boston+Globe+(1928-1960)&desc=Gen.+Erickson+Awaits+Call+to+Active+Service&pqatl=google Gen. Erickson Awaits Call to Active Service], May 29, 1942</ref>
In 1940 he was also called to federal service as the Director of Selective Service for Massachusetts.<ref>Christian Science Monitor, [https://archive.today/20130630043202/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/290066382.html?dids=290066382:290066382&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Sep+13,+1940&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=Erickson+to+Direct+Army+Service+Draft&pqatl=google Erickson to Direct Army Service Draft], September 13, 1940</ref>
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.<ref>Christian Science Monitor, [https://archive.today/20130630043747/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/211463182.html?dids=211463182:211463182&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Apr+13,+1943&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=Colonel+Keville+Takes+Office+As+State's+Adjutant+General&pqatl=google Colonel Keville Takes Office As State's Adjutant General], April 13, 1943</ref><ref>The National Guardsman, [https://books.google.com/books?id=IXrfAAAAMAAJ&q=%22edgar+c+erickson%22+china Guard Bureau Chief Retires], Volume 13, 1959, p. 4</ref>
==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.<ref>United States Civil Service Commission, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Y8ghAAAAMAAJ&dq=edgar+erickson+%22national+guard+bureau%22&pg=PA118 Official Register of the United States], 1952, p. 118</ref><ref>United States Senate Appropriations Committee, [https://books.google.com/books?id=1w44AAAAIAAJ&q=%22edgar+c+erickson%22+chief+army+division Hearing Reports], 1951, p. 1131</ref>
In 1953 Erickson was appointed chief of the National Guard Bureau, and he served until his 1959 retirement.<ref>New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1953/06/11/archives/taylor-is-named-to-fourstar-bank-eisenhower-also-nominates-colonel.html Taylor is Named to Four-Star Rank; Eisenhower Also Nominates Colonel Erickson to Head National Guard Bureau], June 11, 1953</ref><ref>Hartford Courant, [https://archive.today/20130630042520/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/918109422.html?dids=918109422:918109422&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jul+07,+1959&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=McGowan+Nominated+As+Guard+Bureau+Chief&pqatl=google McGowan Nominated As Guard Bureau Chief], July 7, 1959</ref>
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.<ref>New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1957/03/10/archives/200-a-day-joining-new-guard-plan-recruits-sign-for-6-months-of.html 200 a Day Joining New Guard Plan], March 10, 1957</ref><ref>Los Angeles Times, [https://archive.today/20130630041255/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/453229692.html?dids=453229692:453229692&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Feb+15,+1954&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=50,000+Airmen+to+Take+Part+in+Field+Training&pqatl=google 50,000 Airmen to Take Part in Field Training], February 15, 1954</ref>
==Awards and decorations== Erickson's awards included the Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army), Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal.<ref>Rep. Harold D. Donahue, [https://books.google.com/books?ei=OROAUbLbN4ri4APMy4HICg&id=MidnjfCoOBgC&dq=%22edgar+c+erickson%22+distinguished+service+medal+legion+of+merit+bronze+star&q=%22edgar+c+erickson%22 Massachusetts Salutes Maj. Gen. Edgar C. Erickson: Extension of Remarks], Congressional Record, 1959, p. 12361</ref>
==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.<ref>Worcester Telegram & Gazette, [http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WO&p_theme=wo&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADE668CE22FC83&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM Obituary, Edgar C. Erickson], April 1, 1989</ref>
==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.<ref>National Guard Regulation 672-1, Trophies and Awards Program for the Army National Guard, [http://www.ngbpdc.ngb.army.mil/pubs/672/ngr672_1.pdf Erickson Trophy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216141218/http://www.ngbpdc.ngb.army.mil/pubs/672/ngr672_1.pdf |date=2013-02-16 }}, 2012, Chapter 12, p. 14</ref>
==Family== In 1920 he married Nancy I. Sundstrom (1898–1982). They had one son, Russell, who died in 1987.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Edgar C. Erickson, 92 |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WO&p_theme=wo&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EADE668CE22FC83&p_field_direct-0=document_id |department=Obituary |work=Telegram & Gazette |location=Worcester, Mass. |date=April 1, 1989}}</ref>
==See also== * 1933–1934 Massachusetts legislature * 1935–1936 Massachusetts legislature
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://generals.dk/general/Erickson/Edgar_Carl/USA.html Generals of World War II]
{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{succession box | title = Adjutant General of Massachusetts | before = Charles H. Cole | years = 1939–1942 | after = BG John H. Sherburne }} {{succession box | title = Chief of the National Guard Bureau | before = MG Earl T. Ricks | years = 1953–1959 | after = MG Winston P. Wilson }} {{s-end}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Erickson, Edgar C.}} Category:1896 births Category:1989 deaths Category:Adjutants General of Massachusetts Category:United States Army personnel of World War I Category:Chiefs of the National Guard Bureau Category:Republican Party Massachusetts state senators Category:National Guard (United States) generals Category:People from Rutland, Massachusetts Category:People from Sun City, Arizona Category:Military personnel from Worcester, Massachusetts Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni Category:United States Army generals Category:United States Army generals of World War II Category:20th-century members of the Massachusetts General Court