Leslie Groves was an American military officer, who served in the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He played an important role in the Second World War. He oversaw the construction of the Pentagon, and is also known for directing the Manhattan Project, which involved developing the atomic bomb that was used in the war. Leslie Groves was born in Albany, New York. He was the son of an army chaplain, and he spent his childhood in various parts of the country, due to his father`s profession. He graduated from the US Military Academy, after which he was commissioned into the United States Army Corps of Engineers. He was in charge of the Manhattan Project in 1942. His responsibilities grew over the next few years. He got involved in various aspects of the development of the atomic bomb. He also became involved in domestic and international policy issues. He also saw the Manhattan project and the development atomic bomb as the way to end the Second World War. Groves decided to quit the army when he was told that he would never be made the Chief of Engineers. Shortly before his retirement, he was also made lieutenant general.