Radulovich, Milo, 1926-2007

Milo Radulovich was a reserve Air Force officer, who during the height of the Cold War and the influence of Senator Joseph McCarthy, was accused of being a security risk. His case was used by CBS News and Edward R. Murrow in a "See It Now" program exposing the unfair tactics and accusations of McCarthy.

Milo John Radulovich (October 28, 1926 -- November 19, 2007) was an American citizen (born in Detroit) of Montenegrin descent. While serving as a reserve Air Force lieutenant, Radulovich was accused of being a security risk for maintaining a "close and continuing relationship" with his father and sister who had been identified as possible "security risks", contrary to Air Force Regulation 35-62. For this, the Air Force stripped Radulovich of his commission.

The Radulovich case soon came to the attention of Edward R. Murrow, host of the popular See It Now program on CBS. For months, Murrow and producer Fred Friendly had debated on how to address Senator Joseph McCarthy's tactics. The Radulovich affair gave them an avenue. The program entitled "The Case Against Lt. Milo Radulovich, A0589839" aired on October 20, 1953. The portrayal of this man and his immigrant father led many viewers to question the impact of McCarthyist tactics for purging the government and military of potential "security risks." Radulovich was reinstated one month after the broadcast.

Radulovich moved to California where he was eventually hired by a private weather forecasting business. He later went to work for the National Weather Service, and was chief meteorologist at Capital City Airport in Lansing, Michigan when he retired in 1994.

Michael Ranville wrote a book about Radulovich's trial, To Strike at a King: The Turning Point in the McCarthy Witch-Hunt . The CBS broadcast and background to its airing was dramatized in the 2005 film "Good Night, and Good Luck."

Radulovich's case is recognized by the State Bar of Michigan as one of its "Michigan Legal Milestones."

After experiencing two strokes, Radulovich died on November 19, 2007. He was awarded a posthumous degree by the University of Michigan in 2008.