MILITARY

Groundbreaking WWII-era spy to be buried at Arlington

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this 1940's photo provided by the OSS Society, U.S. Army Capt. Stephanie Rader poses for a photograph. Rader was recommended for the Legion of Merit in 1946 for her intelligence on Soviet troop movements in Poland, but her nomination was not acted upon for seven decades. Rader, who was a groundbreaking spy for America in post-World War II Poland is being laid to rest Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at Arlington National Cemetery. (OSS Society via AP) (The Associated Press)

Photographs of Stephanie Rader, and other items are displayed during a reception following her full honors funeral, at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Rader was an American spy in post-World War II Poland and was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit 70 years after her nomination. (AP Photo/Molly Riley) (The Associated Press)

The casket of Stephanie Rader is carried during a full military honors conducted by the Army's 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Rader, who was an American spy in post-World War II Poland was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit Wednesday, 70 years after her nomination. (AP Photo/Molly Riley) (The Associated Press)

A Virginia woman who was a groundbreaking spy for America in post-World War II Poland is being laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Stephanie Rader, who died in January at age 100, was the daughter of Polish immigrants and served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps during World War II. Her Polish fluency caught the attention of the Office of Strategic Services, a forerunner to the CIA.

Her bosses at the OSS recommended her for the Legion of Merit in 1946 for her intelligence on Soviet troop movements in Poland, but her nomination was not acted upon for seven decades.

Last week, though, at the urging of Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, and others, the Army announced Rader is receiving the award posthumously.

Her burial at Arlington is scheduled for Wednesday.