Postscript: Lost WWII weatherman’s family found

Last of 4 volunteer weather observers finally receives his Purple Heart

“The Muskeget weathermen legacy of 'service above self' lives on with the men and women of National Weather Service today,” said National Weather Service Director Louis Uccellini. In this photo, Chaplain LT Larry Brant stands with relatives of posthumous Purple Heart Medal recipient Luther Brady at a ceremony in the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta, Dec. 13, 2016.

“The Muskeget weathermen legacy of 'service above self' lives on with the men and women of National Weather Service today,” said National Weather Service Director Louis Uccellini. In this photo, Chaplain LT Larry Brant stands with relatives of posthumous Purple Heart Medal recipient Luther Brady at a ceremony in the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta, Dec. 13, 2016. (Image credit: David Hall/NOAA)

Download Image

We have an update to a story we published last year about four NOAA National Weather Service weather observers who lost their lives after the Coast Guard vessel they worked on was sunk by a German submarine during World War II. Three of these four brave men were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. in 2015. The fourth weatherman, Luther Brady, had no known next of kin at the time.

Luther H. Brady, as pictured in his 1939 University of Georgia yearbook.
Luther H. Brady, as pictured in his 1939 University of Georgia yearbook. (Courtesy of University of Georgia)
Download Image

However, this year, NOAA was able to locate two of Brady’s cousins in Georgia, Carol Law and Helen Cobb Runninger. Cousin Carol Law was able to travel with Cobb Runninger’s grandchild to a ceremony held in the Georgia State Capital building on December 13 where they accepted Brady’s Purple Heart (photo above).

Cobb Runninger was unable to attend the ceremony, but she later received a special visit from a NOAA Corps officer who presented her with Brady’s Purple Heart. It was the closing chapter to a compelling story of courage.

Related Features //