Susan Ahn Cuddy
Encyclopedia
Susan Ahn Cuddy was the first female gunnery officer
in the United States Navy
. She is the eldest daughter of Ahn Chang-ho and Helen Ahn, the first married Korean couple to immigrate to the United States
in 1902. She joined the Navy in 1942 and served until 1946, reaching the rank of lieutenant
. Cuddy went on to work for U.S. Navy Intelligence, and later the Library of Congress
and the National Security Agency
. She retired in 1959 and returned to her birthplace in Los Angeles, California
where she helped manage her family's Cantonese restaurant
Phil Ahn's Moongate until 1990.
In 2003, Cuddy was recognized by the California State Assembly
as Woman of the Year for her public service. In 2006, the Asian American Justice Center of Washington D.C. presented her with the American Courage Award. Her life story is also the subject of the short biography Willow Tree Shade by John Cha.
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. She is the eldest daughter of Ahn Chang-ho and Helen Ahn, the first married Korean couple to immigrate to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1902. She joined the Navy in 1942 and served until 1946, reaching the rank of lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
. Cuddy went on to work for U.S. Navy Intelligence, and later the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
and the National Security Agency
National Security Agency
The National Security Agency/Central Security Service is a cryptologic intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the collection and analysis of foreign communications and foreign signals intelligence, as well as protecting U.S...
. She retired in 1959 and returned to her birthplace in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
where she helped manage her family's Cantonese restaurant
Cantonese restaurant
A Cantonese restaurant is a type of Chinese restaurant that originated from Southern China. This style of restaurant soon flourished in Hong Kong.-History:Some of the earliest restaurants in Colonial Hong Kong were influenced by Cantonese people...
Phil Ahn's Moongate until 1990.
In 2003, Cuddy was recognized by the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
as Woman of the Year for her public service. In 2006, the Asian American Justice Center of Washington D.C. presented her with the American Courage Award. Her life story is also the subject of the short biography Willow Tree Shade by John Cha.