Yesterday Governor Janet T. Mills presented 97-year old World War 11 (WW 11) Veteran Martha Flint O’Grady of Portland with the State of Maine WW 11 and Women’s Veterans’ Recognition Certificates and Coins during a recognition ceremony at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6859 in Portland.
“Martha Flint O’Grady is a trail-blazer whose service broke barriers and whose work broke codes,” said Governor Mills. “It is the patriotism, courage and selfless service of men and women like her that rebuffed the Axis powers and secured freedom and peace for people across the world. It is with great honor that I recognize Mrs. O’Grady today and thank her for her service to our nation.”
Martha Flint O’Grady, 97, of Portland, Maine, joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) at age 20 and served as a Tele-Typist at Arlington Hall Station — headquarters for the US Army’s Signal Intelligence Service — for 3 years during the Second World War. The US Army’s Signal Intelligence Service was charged with receiving and decoding messages which turned the tide of the war.
O’Grady was honorably discharged from the Women’s Army Corps in 1944 and went to work for Eastern Airlines as a Tele-Typist. She met James M. ‘Grady while working in Miami, Florida and was approached by VOGUE MAGAZINE to model. She declined VOTUE’S offer and married O’Grady in 1949. The couple purchased a summer home in Hiram, Maine and returned to her home state every summer until they moved back full time in 1973, first to Harrison before settling in Portland in 1983, where she still resides. O’Grady has five children; Theodore, Colleen, Brian, Kevin and Bridget.
The State of Maine established the Veterans’ Recognition Program to honor veterans for their service on behalf of the state and nation. The program recognizes those who have given their life in service to the country, prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. those who were wounded in action and received the Purple Heart and all veterans who honorably served.