Charles Eldon Brady Jr. (August 12, 1951 – July 23, 2006) was an American physician, a captain in the United States Navy and a NASA astronaut. He spent 16 days in space on the Space Shuttle's STS-78 flight in 1996.

Brady specialized in sports medicine and worked as team physician at several universities before joining the US Navy in 1986. There he became a flight surgeon, serving with the Blue Angels flight demonstration squad from 1988–1990. In 1992 he was selected for NASA's astronaut program and completed training to prepare for space flight. After serving in the astronaut program, he returned full-time to the Navy and served as flight surgeon at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in the San Juan Islands before retiring in the Pacific Northwest.

Early life and education

Brady was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina, to Ann and Charles Brady, Sr. He grew up in the small town of Robbins, where his father was a physician. Brady attended local public schools, graduating from North Moore High School in Robbins in 1969. He had become an Eagle Scout and received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He had enjoyed an active outdoor life and made several expeditions with a ham radio group to small islands in the South Pacific.

Brady died on July 23, 2006. He was survived by his fiancée, Susen Oseth, their son, Charles "Charlie" Brady III, A few days later, the Houston Chronicle reported the county sheriff's statement that Brady had died of self-inflicted wounds after suffering a long illness related to arthritis. He was buried near his father in Robbins, North Carolina. NASA internal emails related to Brady, which were released under the Freedom of Information Act, documented health issues and noted there was an investigation of his suicide, including interviews with family and friends.

Organizations

  • Association of Military Surgeons of the United States
  • Society of United States Naval Flight Surgeons
  • Aerospace Medical Association and Space Medicine Branch
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Phi Eta Sigma
  • Ancient Free and Accepted Masons

Special honors

  • Defense Superior Service Medal
  • Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star
  • Navy Achievement Medal
  • Meritorious Unit Commendation with Battle "E"
  • National Defense Service Medal
  • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  • Sea Service Ribbon
  • NASA Space Flight Medal
  • Recipient of the Fox Flag for highest academic achievement at Naval Aerospace Medical Institute
  • Richard E. Luehrs Memorial Award for Navy Operational Flight Surgeon of the Year (1987)
  • Physician Coordinator for Operation Raleigh-USA (a British-sponsored international youth leadership program, selected by the U.S. Department of Defense)

References

  • Spacefacts biography of Charles E. Brady Jr.