Murray Joseph 'Steve' Brody attended the Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades, Manhattan, New York, where he was active in the Civil Air Patrol and the Drum and Bugle Corps. His yearbook states his ambition was to become an United States Air Force Pilot. After graduation in 1955, he worked for Pan American Airways at Idlewild Airport (now Kennedy Airport) in New York City until he entered the United States Air Force in May 1958.
He attended Undergraduate Navigator Training at Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas. He was an Aviation Cadet assigned to the 3610th Navigator Training Wing, where he received flying training in the T-29C 'Flying Classroom'. On May 21, 1959 he graduated receiving his Navigator Wings and his commission as a Second Lieutenant.
Steve and Claire Sessa were married on May 30, 1959 in Bronx, New York.
He then attended Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Keesler Air force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi where he was assigned to the 3401st Student Squadron, 3380th Technical Training Wing. Their oldest daughter, Karen, was born on February 17, 1960 at Biloxi, Mississippi.
After graduating from Electronic Warfare Officer Training, he was assigned to the 4603rd Air Base Group, 4713th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Stewart Air Force Base, Newburgh, New York where he flew B-57 'Canberra' aircraft. The highly modified B-57's contained electronic jammers and were flown against Air Defense Command aircraft in an attempt to penetrate the U.S. Air Defense System and evade the ADC aircraft.
Their second daughter, Deborah, was born on June 26, 1962 at West Point, New York. While at Stewart AFB, Steve was promoted to Captain on November 21, 1963.
Steve and Claire, along with daughters, Karen and Deborah, arrived at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma where he became a member of Pilot Training Class 65-F, on March 9, 1964.
The class was assigned to 3575th Pilot Training Wing, 3576th Pilot Training Squadron, Flight 3, 'Speedy' where Steve flew the T-37B 'Tweet' with James W. Mooring as his instructor.
Part way through our T-37B training, the class was split in half and Steve was reassigned to the Flight 4, 'Warlock' in the 3576th Pilot Training Squadron. While in 'Warlock' flight, his instructors were Thomas E. Spear and Leland E. Gould.
When we attended academics classes, Steve was renowned for sleeping in class; however he always managed to get the highest scores on all of the academic tests.
Their son, Paul, was born at Saint Mary's Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma on September 18, 1964.
In advanced training, he was assigned to Flight 1, 'Mojack' where he flew the supersonic T-38A 'Talon', which was also known as the 'White Rocket'. Steve's T-38 instructors were Hugh D. Ebert and Richard D. Schindler.
On Saturday morning, March 20, 1965, he graduated and was awarded his Pilot Wings. Additionally, Steve received the UPT Academic Training Award and was also an Outstanding Officer Graduate aka Distinguished Graduate.
He was then assigned to the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing at Otis Air Force Base, Mashpee, Massachusetts flying the EC-121H 'Super Constellation' or 'Connie'. The highly modified version he was flying was known as "Warning Star' and provided an airborne early warning system for the United States.
On July 11, 1965, Lockheed EC-121H, 55-0136 took off from runway 23 at Otis AFB at 21:33 for an Active Air Defense mission to Air 1 station #2. At approximately 22:10, the crew reported that the number three engine was on fire and that an emergency was being declared. Position was reported as about 125nm from Nantucket TACAN on the 090 degree radial and clearance was requested to Nantucket. At approximately 22:13, the pilot reported, "preparing for ditching, we have number three engine on fire, and number two is not so good". A ditching was carried out at 22:22. The aircraft broke in two places on the fuselage with at least partial wing separation. At approximately 09:00 the next morning, three survivors and the bodies of nine other men, were picked up by whale boats from German Navy Destroyer "D170" and US Destroyer "Barry". The remaining seven men were missing and presumed dead.
In 1982, Claire married Leon S. Kirk, a retired USAF Navigator / Electronics Warfare Officer. Leon died on January 9, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Steve and Claire's son, Paul, has a son, Luca Brody, who was born in 2002.
He attended Undergraduate Navigator Training at Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas. He was an Aviation Cadet assigned to the 3610th Navigator Training Wing, where he received flying training in the T-29C 'Flying Classroom'. On May 21, 1959 he graduated receiving his Navigator Wings and his commission as a Second Lieutenant.
Steve and Claire Sessa were married on May 30, 1959 in Bronx, New York.
He then attended Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Keesler Air force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi where he was assigned to the 3401st Student Squadron, 3380th Technical Training Wing. Their oldest daughter, Karen, was born on February 17, 1960 at Biloxi, Mississippi.
After graduating from Electronic Warfare Officer Training, he was assigned to the 4603rd Air Base Group, 4713th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Stewart Air Force Base, Newburgh, New York where he flew B-57 'Canberra' aircraft. The highly modified B-57's contained electronic jammers and were flown against Air Defense Command aircraft in an attempt to penetrate the U.S. Air Defense System and evade the ADC aircraft.
Their second daughter, Deborah, was born on June 26, 1962 at West Point, New York. While at Stewart AFB, Steve was promoted to Captain on November 21, 1963.
Steve and Claire, along with daughters, Karen and Deborah, arrived at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma where he became a member of Pilot Training Class 65-F, on March 9, 1964.
The class was assigned to 3575th Pilot Training Wing, 3576th Pilot Training Squadron, Flight 3, 'Speedy' where Steve flew the T-37B 'Tweet' with James W. Mooring as his instructor.
Part way through our T-37B training, the class was split in half and Steve was reassigned to the Flight 4, 'Warlock' in the 3576th Pilot Training Squadron. While in 'Warlock' flight, his instructors were Thomas E. Spear and Leland E. Gould.
When we attended academics classes, Steve was renowned for sleeping in class; however he always managed to get the highest scores on all of the academic tests.
Their son, Paul, was born at Saint Mary's Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma on September 18, 1964.
In advanced training, he was assigned to Flight 1, 'Mojack' where he flew the supersonic T-38A 'Talon', which was also known as the 'White Rocket'. Steve's T-38 instructors were Hugh D. Ebert and Richard D. Schindler.
On Saturday morning, March 20, 1965, he graduated and was awarded his Pilot Wings. Additionally, Steve received the UPT Academic Training Award and was also an Outstanding Officer Graduate aka Distinguished Graduate.
He was then assigned to the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing at Otis Air Force Base, Mashpee, Massachusetts flying the EC-121H 'Super Constellation' or 'Connie'. The highly modified version he was flying was known as "Warning Star' and provided an airborne early warning system for the United States.
On July 11, 1965, Lockheed EC-121H, 55-0136 took off from runway 23 at Otis AFB at 21:33 for an Active Air Defense mission to Air 1 station #2. At approximately 22:10, the crew reported that the number three engine was on fire and that an emergency was being declared. Position was reported as about 125nm from Nantucket TACAN on the 090 degree radial and clearance was requested to Nantucket. At approximately 22:13, the pilot reported, "preparing for ditching, we have number three engine on fire, and number two is not so good". A ditching was carried out at 22:22. The aircraft broke in two places on the fuselage with at least partial wing separation. At approximately 09:00 the next morning, three survivors and the bodies of nine other men, were picked up by whale boats from German Navy Destroyer "D170" and US Destroyer "Barry". The remaining seven men were missing and presumed dead.
In 1982, Claire married Leon S. Kirk, a retired USAF Navigator / Electronics Warfare Officer. Leon died on January 9, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Steve and Claire's son, Paul, has a son, Luca Brody, who was born in 2002.
Murray Joseph 'Steve' Brody attended the Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades, Manhattan, New York, where he was active in the Civil Air Patrol and the Drum and Bugle Corps. His yearbook states his ambition was to become an United States Air Force Pilot. After graduation in 1955, he worked for Pan American Airways at Idlewild Airport (now Kennedy Airport) in New York City until he entered the United States Air Force in May 1958.
He attended Undergraduate Navigator Training at Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas. He was an Aviation Cadet assigned to the 3610th Navigator Training Wing, where he received flying training in the T-29C 'Flying Classroom'. On May 21, 1959 he graduated receiving his Navigator Wings and his commission as a Second Lieutenant.
Steve and Claire Sessa were married on May 30, 1959 in Bronx, New York.
He then attended Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Keesler Air force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi where he was assigned to the 3401st Student Squadron, 3380th Technical Training Wing. Their oldest daughter, Karen, was born on February 17, 1960 at Biloxi, Mississippi.
After graduating from Electronic Warfare Officer Training, he was assigned to the 4603rd Air Base Group, 4713th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Stewart Air Force Base, Newburgh, New York where he flew B-57 'Canberra' aircraft. The highly modified B-57's contained electronic jammers and were flown against Air Defense Command aircraft in an attempt to penetrate the U.S. Air Defense System and evade the ADC aircraft.
Their second daughter, Deborah, was born on June 26, 1962 at West Point, New York. While at Stewart AFB, Steve was promoted to Captain on November 21, 1963.
Steve and Claire, along with daughters, Karen and Deborah, arrived at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma where he became a member of Pilot Training Class 65-F, on March 9, 1964.
The class was assigned to 3575th Pilot Training Wing, 3576th Pilot Training Squadron, Flight 3, 'Speedy' where Steve flew the T-37B 'Tweet' with James W. Mooring as his instructor.
Part way through our T-37B training, the class was split in half and Steve was reassigned to the Flight 4, 'Warlock' in the 3576th Pilot Training Squadron. While in 'Warlock' flight, his instructors were Thomas E. Spear and Leland E. Gould.
When we attended academics classes, Steve was renowned for sleeping in class; however he always managed to get the highest scores on all of the academic tests.
Their son, Paul, was born at Saint Mary's Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma on September 18, 1964.
In advanced training, he was assigned to Flight 1, 'Mojack' where he flew the supersonic T-38A 'Talon', which was also known as the 'White Rocket'. Steve's T-38 instructors were Hugh D. Ebert and Richard D. Schindler.
On Saturday morning, March 20, 1965, he graduated and was awarded his Pilot Wings. Additionally, Steve received the UPT Academic Training Award and was also an Outstanding Officer Graduate aka Distinguished Graduate.
He was then assigned to the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing at Otis Air Force Base, Mashpee, Massachusetts flying the EC-121H 'Super Constellation' or 'Connie'. The highly modified version he was flying was known as "Warning Star' and provided an airborne early warning system for the United States.
On July 11, 1965, Lockheed EC-121H, 55-0136 took off from runway 23 at Otis AFB at 21:33 for an Active Air Defense mission to Air 1 station #2. At approximately 22:10, the crew reported that the number three engine was on fire and that an emergency was being declared. Position was reported as about 125nm from Nantucket TACAN on the 090 degree radial and clearance was requested to Nantucket. At approximately 22:13, the pilot reported, "preparing for ditching, we have number three engine on fire, and number two is not so good". A ditching was carried out at 22:22. The aircraft broke in two places on the fuselage with at least partial wing separation. At approximately 09:00 the next morning, three survivors and the bodies of nine other men, were picked up by whale boats from German Navy Destroyer "D170" and US Destroyer "Barry". The remaining seven men were missing and presumed dead.
In 1982, Claire married Leon S. Kirk, a retired USAF Navigator / Electronics Warfare Officer. Leon died on January 9, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Steve and Claire's son, Paul, has a son, Luca Brody, who was born in 2002.
He attended Undergraduate Navigator Training at Harlingen Air Force Base, Texas. He was an Aviation Cadet assigned to the 3610th Navigator Training Wing, where he received flying training in the T-29C 'Flying Classroom'. On May 21, 1959 he graduated receiving his Navigator Wings and his commission as a Second Lieutenant.
Steve and Claire Sessa were married on May 30, 1959 in Bronx, New York.
He then attended Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Keesler Air force Base, Biloxi, Mississippi where he was assigned to the 3401st Student Squadron, 3380th Technical Training Wing. Their oldest daughter, Karen, was born on February 17, 1960 at Biloxi, Mississippi.
After graduating from Electronic Warfare Officer Training, he was assigned to the 4603rd Air Base Group, 4713th Defense Systems Evaluation Squadron at Stewart Air Force Base, Newburgh, New York where he flew B-57 'Canberra' aircraft. The highly modified B-57's contained electronic jammers and were flown against Air Defense Command aircraft in an attempt to penetrate the U.S. Air Defense System and evade the ADC aircraft.
Their second daughter, Deborah, was born on June 26, 1962 at West Point, New York. While at Stewart AFB, Steve was promoted to Captain on November 21, 1963.
Steve and Claire, along with daughters, Karen and Deborah, arrived at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma where he became a member of Pilot Training Class 65-F, on March 9, 1964.
The class was assigned to 3575th Pilot Training Wing, 3576th Pilot Training Squadron, Flight 3, 'Speedy' where Steve flew the T-37B 'Tweet' with James W. Mooring as his instructor.
Part way through our T-37B training, the class was split in half and Steve was reassigned to the Flight 4, 'Warlock' in the 3576th Pilot Training Squadron. While in 'Warlock' flight, his instructors were Thomas E. Spear and Leland E. Gould.
When we attended academics classes, Steve was renowned for sleeping in class; however he always managed to get the highest scores on all of the academic tests.
Their son, Paul, was born at Saint Mary's Hospital in Enid, Oklahoma on September 18, 1964.
In advanced training, he was assigned to Flight 1, 'Mojack' where he flew the supersonic T-38A 'Talon', which was also known as the 'White Rocket'. Steve's T-38 instructors were Hugh D. Ebert and Richard D. Schindler.
On Saturday morning, March 20, 1965, he graduated and was awarded his Pilot Wings. Additionally, Steve received the UPT Academic Training Award and was also an Outstanding Officer Graduate aka Distinguished Graduate.
He was then assigned to the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing at Otis Air Force Base, Mashpee, Massachusetts flying the EC-121H 'Super Constellation' or 'Connie'. The highly modified version he was flying was known as "Warning Star' and provided an airborne early warning system for the United States.
On July 11, 1965, Lockheed EC-121H, 55-0136 took off from runway 23 at Otis AFB at 21:33 for an Active Air Defense mission to Air 1 station #2. At approximately 22:10, the crew reported that the number three engine was on fire and that an emergency was being declared. Position was reported as about 125nm from Nantucket TACAN on the 090 degree radial and clearance was requested to Nantucket. At approximately 22:13, the pilot reported, "preparing for ditching, we have number three engine on fire, and number two is not so good". A ditching was carried out at 22:22. The aircraft broke in two places on the fuselage with at least partial wing separation. At approximately 09:00 the next morning, three survivors and the bodies of nine other men, were picked up by whale boats from German Navy Destroyer "D170" and US Destroyer "Barry". The remaining seven men were missing and presumed dead.
In 1982, Claire married Leon S. Kirk, a retired USAF Navigator / Electronics Warfare Officer. Leon died on January 9, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Steve and Claire's son, Paul, has a son, Luca Brody, who was born in 2002.
Inscription
Brody / Capt. Murray J. / 1937 - 1965
