Leslie Groves

Early Life and Education

Leslie Richard Groves Jr. was born on August 17, 1896, in Albany, New York. Raised in a disciplined and educated household, Groves attended high school in Washington, D.C., and went on to graduate fourth in his class from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1918.

Military Career Beginnings

After graduating from West Point, Groves was stationed at various military bases. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1919 and held roles in engineering and military construction, including projects in Hawaii and Vermont. His expertise in military engineering continued to develop throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

Appointment to the Manhattan Project

In September 1942, Major General Leslie Groves was appointed by General George C. Marshall to lead the top-secret Manhattan Project. Groves oversaw the research, development, construction, and production of the atomic bomb, including selecting project sites and assembling a team of leading scientists like J. Robert Oppenheimer and Enrico Fermi.

Key Contributions to the Manhattan Project

Under Groves’ leadership, sites such as Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Los Alamos, New Mexico, became key to the Manhattan Project’s success. His organizational skills and leadership played a pivotal role in developing the atomic bomb, for which he received the Medal of Merit in 1945 from President Harry S. Truman.

Post-War Career and Civilian Life

After World War II, Groves continued his military service as the head of the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project. He retired from the military in 1948 with an honorary promotion to lieutenant general and transitioned to a successful civilian career, notably becoming a vice president at the Sperry Rand Corporation.

Later Years and Death

In his later years, Groves remained active in engineering and technology fields. On July 13, 1970, at the age of 73, Groves passed away from a heart attack. A funeral service was held for him at Fort Myer, Virginia, recognizing his enduring contributions to the Manhattan Project and his leadership in shaping 20th-century warfare and technology.