Thomas J. Cushman

Thomas Jackson Cushman (June 27, 1895 – July 15, 1972) was a United States Marine Corps aviator. He served from 1917 to 1954, advancing from private to major general during his military career. Cushman commanded aviation forces in combat during both World War II and the Korean War and was advanced to lieutenant general upon retirement.

Biography Cushman was born on June 27, 1895 in St. Louis, Missouri, but his family soon moved to Washington state. Cushman was initially assigned to the Mare Island Navy Yard.

In June 1921, Cushman was assigned to Marine Barracks, Puget Sound, Washington. In September 1923, he was reassigned to Naval Station, Guam, Marianas Islands. From November 1924 to August 1925, Cushman served at Brown Field, Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia. He then became an instructor at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.

In August 1941, Cushman was sent to Craven County, North Carolina to act as the Marine Corps representative supervising the construction of the new Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point by the Navy Civil Engineer Corps. His temporary promotion to brigadier general was approved on January 11, 1944 and eventually made permanent on February 18, 1948.

In May 1944, Cushman succeeded Brig. Gen. Lewie G. Merritt as commander of the 4th Marine Base Defense Air Wing. When Maj. Gen. Louis E. Woods assumed command of the air wing in August 1944, he served as deputy commander until October. From November 1944 to April 1945, Cushman was commander of Air Defense, Marianas Islands. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal for his service in the Pacific theatre.

In May 1945, Cushman resumed command of Air Station Cherry Point From May to July 1951, Cushman served as acting commander of the Aircraft Wing. He received the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and a second award of the Legion of Merit for his service in Korea. He served as commander of Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and as commanding general of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point. In February 1953, Cushman became deputy commander of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific.

Family and later life On January 13, 1919, Cushman married Helen Moores. They had a son, Thomas Jackson Jr. After his first wife's death , Cushman married Eleanor Barker on October 14, 1921. They had a son, Robert Edward, and a daughter, Eleanor Jane. Robert Edward Cushman died in 1938 at the age of sixteen after accidentally shooting himself with a handgun. Eleanor Jane Cushman married a Marine Corps officer, Lyle Kaye London.

Lieutenant General Cushman died on July 15, 1972 in Corona del Mar, California. He was interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery along with his second wife and second son.