| Joseph Jeremiah McCarthy | |
|---|---|
| Joseph J. McCarthy |
|
| Born | August 10, 1911 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | June 5, 1996 (aged 84) Palm Beach, Florida |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1937-1941, 1942-1971 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel, previously a First Sergeant |
| 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,[1] however, with respect for his wartime heroics, firefighters continued to address him by his wartime military rank of "Captain."[2]
Historian Bill D. Ross would write about him in 1985:
McCarthy was thirty three; overage for a company commander. He was Irish and he looked it: husky, red complexioned, pug nose. Superior officers sometimes found his manner abrasive, but unlike many Irishmen, he wasn't talkative. He was, in fact, laconic and tight-lipped. "I don't like malarkey or bullshit," the Chicagoan often said. But Joe McCarthy knew the uncompromising business of battle; he had the Silver Star for leading his company up a savagely contested hill on Saipan and his men called him "the best damned officer in the Marine Corps."[3]
The building that houses the headquarters of 2nd Battalion 24th Marines in Chicago is named in his honor. Lieutenant Colonel McCarthy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery[2] following a funeral mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.[4]
Contents |
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 February 21, 1945, as a captain, he earned the Medal of Honor on Iwo Jima, while leading an assault team across exposed ground to wipe out positions holding up the advance of his company. "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."[4] President Harry S. Truman presented the Medal of Honor to McCarthy in ceremonies at the White House, held on October 5, 1945. As Truman presented the Medal, he told McCarthy, "I'd rather have one of these than be President."[4]
Released from active duty following the war, he held the grade of lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve.[5]
In 1949, McCarthy drove from Maine to North Carolina visiting the families of 26 Marines who had been killed in action on Iwo Jima. Each one of them, he told the families, had been just as brave as he was, just not as lucky.[4]
McCarthy was the Grand Marshall of the City of Chicago's St. Patrick's Day Parade in 1959.[6]
McCarthy retired from the Marine Corps Reserve in 1971 and from the Chicago Fire Department in 1973. Thereafter, he and his wife split their time between homes in Wisconsin and Delray Beach, Florida. His wife, Anita, died in 1978. The couple had no children.[4]
"I would hope and pray there never be another Medal of Honor issued," he said in a 1992 interview. "I hope and pray there's never any more wars."[4]
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
CAPTAIN JOSEPH J. McCARTHY
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION: