Joseph J. McCarthy
| Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy | |
|---|---|
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Joseph J. McCarthy
|
|
| Born |
August 10, 1911 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | June 15, 1996 (aged 84) Palm Beach, Florida buried Arlington National Cemetery |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1937-1941, 1942-1971 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 2nd Battalion 24th Marines |
| Battles/wars |
World War II - Battle of Roi-Namur - Battle of Saipan - Battle of Tinian - Battle of Iwo Jima |
| Awards |
Medal of Honor Silver Star Purple Heart (x2) |
| Other work | Chief, Chicago Fire Department |
Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy (August 10, 1911 – June 15, 1996) was a mustang officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, who served during World War II and the Korean War. He was also the Superintendent of Ambulances in the Chicago Fire Department, however, with respect for his wartime heroics, firefighters continued to address him by his wartime military rank of "Captain."
Historian Bill D. Ross would write about him in 1985:
McCarthy first enlisted in the Marine Corps on February 20, 1937 in Chicago and served for four years. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he re-enlisted and returned to active duty in February 1942. In June of that year, he was discharged with the rank of first sergeant in order to accept a commission in the Marine Corps Reserve.
McCarthy joined the 4th Marine Division shortly thereafter, and went overseas in January 1944. While deployed, he took part in the Roi-Namur, Saipan-Tinian, and Iwo Jima campaigns. He was awarded the Silver Star for heroism as a rifle company commander on Saipan in 1944. He received the Purple Heart with Gold Star for wounds received in action on Saipan and Iwo Jima.
On Iwo Jima McCarthy was the Company Commander of G Co 2nd Battalion 24th Marines. He landed on yellow beach 2 along side the 23rd Marines. On D plus 3 the 24th RCT relieved the 25th. His Battalion moved and was supported by the blue beaches. On February 21, 1945, as a Captain, he earned the Medal of Honor while leading an assault team across exposed ground to wipe out positions holding up the advance of his company at airfield No. 2. "I was scared all the time," McCarthy said later. "Any man tells you he wasn't scared was an imbecile. But you dealt with it."It is believed that a Seabee heavy weapons platoon provided the fire support he needed that day. (Fig. 1)
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Wikipedia