Each month the Defense Department celebrates the contributions of Americans to the nation’s history and the Department’s commitment to readiness and excellence. Lt. Susan Ahn Cuddy, a World War II Navy officer, exemplified the warrior ethos, merit, and high standards through her relentless determination and groundbreaking service.
Born on January 16, 1915, in Los Angeles, Cuddy was the eldest of five children of Dosan Ahn Chang Ho and Helen Ahn, a Korean couple who immigrated to the United States in 1902. At that time, Korea faced increasing Japanese influence, becoming a Japanese protectorate in 1905 and fully annexed in 1910 as Japan sought to suppress Korean culture. Dosan, a respected leader in Korea’s independence movement, turned their home into a hub for others seeking freedom. His frequent trips to Korea to support pro-independence efforts ended in 1926 when he was arrested and imprisoned for anti-Japanese activism. He died in captivity in March 1938.
Cuddy’s father instilled in her a philosophy of independence and resilience, encouraging her to forge her own path rather than conform to traditional expectations. She embraced this mindset, excelling in women’s baseball during high school and at LA City College. Transferring to San Diego State College (now University) in 1940, she earned a sociology degree, showcasing her intellectual rigor and determination.
As World War II intensified and Japan’s imperial expansion heightened global tensions, the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack spurred Cuddy to serve. Motivated by a desire to honor her father’s fight against Japanese oppression and contribute to her country, she enlisted in the Navy in early 1942, undeterred by skepticism about her suitability for service.
Cuddy faced initial rejection from the Women’s Reserve of the U.S. Naval Reserve (WAVES) but persisted, reapplying and gaining acceptance as an enlisted member in December 1942. She joined the first WAVES cohort to complete a rigorous five-week training course at the newly opened recruit training center in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Her tenacity and skill earned her a spot in a Georgia training program, where she mastered early flight simulators and instructed future pilots, enhancing naval aviation readiness.
Her proficiency led to a temporary role as an aerial gunnery instructor, training aircrews in precision targeting. Recognizing her talent, an officer recommended her for officer training, and in late summer 1943, Cuddy completed a 90-day course at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Commissioned as a WAVES officer that fall, she was sent to gunnery school in Pensacola, Florida, in November 1943. Graduating with distinction, she became the Navy’s first female gunnery officer, a testament to her technical expertise and dedication. In January 1944, she trained naval aviators at Atlantic City Naval Air Station on the .50-caliber machine gun, bolstering combat readiness.
Promoted to lieutenant, Cuddy joined the Naval Intelligence Office, where her linguistic skills in Korean proved invaluable to elite codebreakers. Initially met with skepticism, she earned trust through her competence, eventually serving as the office’s liaison with the Library of Congress—a role reflecting her proven reliability and intellect.
When Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending World War II and freeing Korea from Japanese rule, Cuddy’s father’s vision of independence was realized, cementing his legacy as a national hero in South Korea. Cuddy left the Navy in 1946, having met Chief Petty Officer Francis Cuddy, a fellow intelligence expert, during her final days in service. They married in April 1947 in Washington, D.C., and later settled in Virginia, raising two children, Christine and Phillip.
As a civilian, Cuddy’s expertise shone as an intelligence analyst and section chief at the National Security Agency during the Cold War. Leading over 300 scholars and experts in Russian affairs, she managed top-secret Defense Department projects, exemplifying leadership and strategic acumen. In 1959, she returned to Los Angeles, where she supported her family’s restaurant while preserving her parents’ legacy of resilience and service.
Cuddy’s commitment to excellence earned her accolades, including the 2003 Woman of the Year award from California State Assembly District 28 and the 2006 American Courage Award from a D.C.-based justice organization. She remained active until her death on June 24, 2015, at age 100, with one of her final engagements at the U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme, California.
Lt. Susan Ahn Cuddy’s career reflects the Defense Department’s values of merit, readiness, and the warrior ethos. Her pioneering achievements as a naval officer and her unwavering dedication to duty set a standard of excellence for all who serve.