Lieutenant Colonel
Luta C. McGrath

Lieutenant Colonel Luta C. McGrath was born in Beattyville, Kentucky on November 21, 1907 and attended the Universities of Virginia and Maryland.

She began her career in the Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in 1943. It was not long before she had her first of many assignments in the field of Ordnance.

In June 1948, the entire western section of Berlin was blockaded by the Soviet Union. Due to the importance of this mission, she was called upon to plan and organize the storage, handling, and airlift of precious ammunition into West Berlin to disrupt this Soviet blockage. Lt. Col. McGrath will be remembered most for her unselfish efforts in support of the Ordnance Ladies Association.

This association is a means by which Ordnance wives can socialize and work together on a common interest and a common bond of fellowship. With the abolishment of the Chief of Ordnance in 1962, the Ordnance Ladies Association was the structure that kept Ordnance families in touch with other Ordnance families. Lt. Col. McGrath served on the Executive Board from 1967 to 1968 and again from 1978 to 1979.

During many of these years, she maintained the roster of all Ordnance officers (active, inactive, and retired) and widows residing in the Washington, D.C. area. These efforts are greatly appreciated throughout the Ordnance community.