Date of Award

2015

Degree Name

History

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

M.A.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Phillip T. Rutherford

Second Advisor

Daniel Holbrook

Third Advisor

Kevin T. Law

Abstract

This thesis will examine the rise of Special Operations Weathermen during World War II, from the founding of the Weather Bureau to the formation of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). OSS-weathermen and their contributions played a significant role to the overall Allied victory in all theaters of operation. Concentrating on the first documented use of clandestine weathermen in Yugoslavia, I contend that Special Operations Weather was not only crucial to the war effort, but as a result, revolutionized behind-the-line weather reporting in modern U.S. military. Since meteorological data transcends alliances and nationalities; those who can accurately forecast and observe the weather and relay information back for operational use, play a significant role in the “go / no-go” decisions for military air, land and sea operations. The successful use of these elite group of personnel make weathermen indispensable to the achievement of military operations across the globe.

Subject(s)

World War, 1939-1945 -- Aerial operations.

World War, 1939-1945.

Meteorology.

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