CUMMINGS, 1st Lt. Albert Henry "Al"

CUMMINGS, LUDLOW, ROBIE, BAUSCH

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/14/2013 at 18:29:54

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, June 15, 1943, Page 11

Arrives Safey

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Cummings, formerly of 510 Georgia avenue northeast, now of Berkeley, Cal., have received word that their son, Lt. Al Cummings, has arrived safely in North Africa. He was commissioned Nov. 12, at Fort Benning, Ga.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, December 09, 1943, Page 10

Back to Own Division

Lt. A. H. Cummings who was formerly headquartered at a prisoner of war camp in north Africa, is now assigned to his own division somewhere in Italy, according to word received by Mrs. Alberta Cummings and daughter, Constance, 37 13th S. E.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, July 10, 1944, Page 16

Tells of March on “Big City”

Lt. Al Cummings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Cummings, formerly of Mason City, has written his parents in Berkeley, Cal., something of his experiences in Italy while leading his platoon toward “a large city, which if they guessed would be right” – Rome. Lt. Cummings was wounded in the arm by a hand grenade, but was dressed in the field, and continued with his company. The drive had been on for more than 3 weeks and for that long Lt. Cummings had not taken off his clothes or shaved.

He also tells of the joyful celebration by the Italian people when they saw the first American soldiers. One old man, presumably the leader of the group, rushed up and kissed Lt. Cummings on both cheeks.

“I don’t know why, but it’s just the little things like seeing these people so happy, that makes a fellow proud and glad to be an American and fighting for the things that we are,” concluded Lt. Cummings.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, October 23, 1944, Page 11

Lt. A. H. Cummings Killed in France on Sept. 18 (sic)

Was Commanding Officer and
Had Been Awarded Distinguished Cross

First Lt. A. H. Cummings was killed in action in France on Sept. 29 (sic, September 28 according to his gravestone), according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Alberta Cummings, 317 13th S. E.

Lt. Cummings had been overseas since June, 1943, and first went to Africa, later taking part in the march on Rome, leading a battalion in that march. Just before the invasion of France he was made a commanding officer.

Lt. Cummings had been awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Italy. He also held the bronze medal and the distinguished service cross.

Born Jan. 9, 1915 in Mason City, Lt. Cummings was graduated from the high school in 1932 and attended the junior college.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Constance; a brother, Lewis, staff sergeant in the south Pacific, and by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Cummings, Berkeley, Cal.

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The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, October 23, 1944, Page 11

To Receive Her Father’s Award Here

Constance Cummings, 13-year-old Mason City girl, Sunday will receive 2 medals won by her late father, Lt. Albert H. Cummings, it was announced by the public relations office, prisoner of war camp, Algona.

The presentation will be made in the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ludlow, 317 13th S. E., by Capt. Everett M. Robie, chaplain of the prisoner of war camp located here. Chaplain Robie will turn over the medals to the young girl at 3 p. m.

For “extraordinary heroism in action on Sept. 26, 1944, near Remiremont, France,” the president of the United States directed that the distinguished service cross be awarded to Lt. Cummings. In addition, Lt. Cummings was awarded the bronze medal for “gallantry in action May 11, 1944 near (unnamed).”

Lt. Cummings was serving as a 2nd lieutenant with the 36th infantry division of the 7th army at the time he won the medals in battle. Later elevated to the rank of first lieutenant, he was killed in action.

Mother of Constance is Mrs. Alberta Bausch, 406 1st N. W.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, April 2012

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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