Weatherman killed on World War II patrol to be honored in Atlanta

More than 70 years ago, a National Weather Service meteorologist on board the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Muskeget lost his life when the ship was sunk by enemy fire in the North Atlantic in the first year of America’s involvement in World War Two. Now, Luther H. Brady of Atlanta will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal for his sacrifice.

His family will accept the medal on December 13 at a ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol.

In August 1942, the Muskeget, a weather observation ship, departed from Boston, to collect weather information at Weather Station No. 2 in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Muskeget’s last weather report was received on September 9, and then the ship disappeared. Later, military historians determined the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine. All crew members on both the Muskeget and the submarine were killed.

Luther Brady, born 1914 in Atlanta, began his service in what was then called the Weather Bureau in Savannah in 1939. At the time of his death, at the age of 27, he served as an assistant weather observer. Brady was a graduate of Emory University and the University of Georgia.

WHAT:
Ceremony to honor civilian weathermen Luther H. Brady of Atlanta, who served on the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Muskeget.

WHEN:
Tue., Dec. 13, 11 a.m. - 12 noon EST

WHERE:
Georgia State Capitol South Wing, 206 Washington Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30334

WHO:
Welcome remarks from Tim Fleming, Georgia deputy secretary of state
Rear Admiral David G. Throop, commander, FORCECOM, U.S. Coast Guard
Rear Admiral David Score, director, NOAA Commissioned Corps and NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, director, NOAA’s National Weather Service

Reporters must register to attend the event by emailing maureen.oleary@noaa.gov.