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First Lieutenant <em>Thompson Cummings</em>, then Second Lieutenant, United States Infantry, while leading a patrol at Heart Break Ridge, was fired upon by enemy machine guns, mortars, and small arms. Lieutenant Cummings ordered the patrol to withdraw and, while one automatic rifleman covered the withdrawal, he exposed himself to intense enemy fire. His heroic and resolute actions enabled the patrol to return to friendly positions and thus saved the lives of several men. Great courage and outstanding devotion displayed by him, won for him the admiration of his superiors and subordinates alike, reflecting great honors upon himself and the United States Army.</p>
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Tammy was the son of Mrs. Isabel A. Cummings of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He played outstanding guard on his high school football team, which was later to gain him an appointment to West Point. Upon graduation he received an award for special achievement in English from one of the local civic organizations. His scholastic and physical achievements made it possible for him to gain admittance to the Academy and on July 2, 1948, he was admitted to the Class of 1952 as an alternate.</p>
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His years at West Point were spent in reading, studying, and hitting the sack. It had been his desire to play football for the Academy, but a knee injury, sustained in scrimmage during his plebe year, curtailed this later activity. He, however, did play football for the company team and later coached them. Besides this he also participated in other sports but not with the great fervor he had for football.</p>
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Graduating from West Point, he spent his time in Pittsburgh and in New Hampshire. He then reported to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he attended paratrooper school. After successfully completing the Associate Infantry Company course he returned home for one month and then reported to Camp Roberts, California. From Camp Roberts he left the states for Japan and then was assigned to Korea where he joined the 223rd Infantry Regiment.</p>
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In a letter received from Lieutenant Colonel Robert B. Spillman, it was stated, “I would like you to know that your son was truly respected and affectionately regarded by his men. He greatly distinguished himself in courage and inspired their confidence by his fearlessness and calm leadership under fire. As his commanding officer, I knew well his devotion to duty and his ability to meet his own standards of leadership under fire.”</p>
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At first Tammy was reported missing in action, but one year later, according to military custom was declared legally dead. His body has never been recovered and only a few personal articles being returned, his class ring not being among these items. Efforts have been made to identify his body from the countless unclaimed bodies of the Korean War, but nothing has been learned.</p>
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He has joined the long line, living up to the motto so well, “Duty, Honor, Country.” He proved that he was a true son of his country even to the point that he didn’t hesitate to give his life for his country’s sake.</p>
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<em>—His Sister</em></p>