Murrel Coburn Brite

             

             Murrel Coburn Brite, born March 21, 1923 in McDaniels, Breckinridge County, Kentucky and died  April 20, 1990 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.  The Brite family moved to Ohio County in 1930. Capt. Brite graduated from Hartford High School, class of 1941, and attended Western State College, Bowling Green.  He is son of Joseph Edward and Annie Mildred (Butler) Brite who are buried at Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery, Daviess County, Kentucky.  He entered the US Navy in July 1943 and obtained his commission as an officer in 1945. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

          Lore has it Murrel was invited to meet in Pakistan with Rita Hayworth while she was married to Aga ‘Aly’ Khan 1949-1953.

          His first naval duty was aboard the USS Topeka. In 1949 he served board the USS Power as Gunnery Officer. In November 1954 he reported to the USS Sproston as Operations Officer and in 1956 he assumed the duties of Executive Officer aboard the USS Whitehurst.  He later attended the Naval War College and became an instructor for several years.  He then served aboard the USS Oklahoma and became the Commander of the USS Sutherland in 1966.

          From October 6, 1964 to February 15, 1966 served on USS Sutherland DD-743/DDR-743 as Commander.  He went onboard after overhaul and addition of ASROC, antisubmarine rocket system.  Training was conducted until March 6, 1965.  The ship then returned to Vietnam and her third war in the Western Pacific.  Joined TF 77/Task Force 77 in South China Sea.  Screened carriers until shift in operation to “Market Time,” for trawler surveillance.  On September 11, 1965 the Sutherland returned to San Diego.

USS SUTHERLAND

From Findagrave:

          Murrel Coburn Brite, 67, of the 200 block of 74th St., a Navy captain who retired after 24 years, died April 20, 1990, in a hospital.

          Mr. Brite, a native of McDaniels, KY, was a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

          Survivors include a sister, Edda Powell, wife of William Powell, of Clinton, Mo.

          The funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road, by the Rev. Donald Jerge. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity. Friends may join the family from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Source: Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Sunday, April 22, 1990