Micah Risinger, Carrissa Amiot, Rowan Khatie

Micah Risinger, Carrissa Amiot, Rowan Khatie

Corona

US History-Period 5

March 28, 2006

Veterans Essay

C.S. – 11.7E.S.L.R. – 2, 5

War can affect many people’s lives, no matter what race, gender, or age. On Friday March 17th, 2006 the junior class of 2007 at MLKHigh School took part in its 6th annual program called, “King High Remembers”. The program is based on inviting veterans from wars throughout history to join us and share their stories and contributions, as we honor their sacrifices that they have made for our future. The three of us had the wonderful opportunity to interview a Korean Veteran named Charles McCarthy.

Charles McCarthy was born in Anaconda, Montana on July 6, 1931. He graduated from high school in 1949 and received his AB degree from CarrollCollege in Helena, Montana. Then in 1972 he received his MS degree from USC. When WWII began, he remembered being 10 years old, and it was on a Sunday. He was at the Blue Bird Movie Theater and while he was walking out, the paper boy was standing there holding an Extra. He was scared and just thought bombs would be dropping from the sky along with complete chaos. In 1952, he joined the Navy Reserve. Originally, Mr. McCarthy was going to be drafted, but an opportunity arose for him to go to Navy OCS. After getting it approved, he decided to go to OCS rather than being drafted. In OCS training included a lot of bookwork. That was from October through April of 1953-54. He told us that the instructors were harsh. The instructors would push the cadets to see if they would give up. He had the chance to have target practice with .50 cal hand gun. We remember him telling us how he fired 7 rounds, and he missed the target every single time. Most of his duty was as a 1st Lieutenant, an assistant gunnery officer, and also a legal officer aboard the USS Epperson (DDE-719), a destroyer stationed at Pearl Harbor.

Although he was on board the destroyer in Pearl Harbor, he was stationed there quite a few years after the December 7th attack. He said he did not see action or combat and never had to fire upon another ship. However he made three deployments to western pacific with the 7th fleet, and had the opportunity to visit several countries. He fulfilled his duties as officer of the deck while underway and in the port. Even though

Mr. McCarthy was not in any combat, he still received three medals. One he received for just simply joining the reserve, another for arriving in Japan, and the third he felt he did not deserve.

Mr. McCarthy said he did not regret anything about his time in service. He stated that his favorite part was just simply sailing around the pacific for weeks at a time. McCarthy said he was glad he joined because it gave him the opportunity to see the world; he has gone from Hawaii to Japan, and many other places. In 1957, Lt. JG McCarthy was released from active duty. When he returned home, he taught high school. In several areas including: Fairfield, Montana,San Jose, California, and Rubidoux, California. He then retired from teaching in 1992. Today, Mr. McCarthy belongs to an organization called “Veterans for Peace”. He stated, “There has never been a good war or a bad peace.” Not in any circumstance does he have any regrets about being in the service, but he still believes that war is not the answer. Wars are not necessary (and that peace should be the resolving factor of conflict.) Peace can be kept through understanding the other person’s positions. We must talk to each other.

All wars are crucial time in American History. We need to take the time to respect the men and women who fought and risked their lives for his country, in which we are fortunate enough to call our home. Charles McCarthy, along with several other veterans, shared their experiences and stories with those who are un-experienced because a book can only teach and reveal so much. Every story and experience that was told, was valued, and brought more respect between generations all in this one day. One of Mr. McCarthy’s favorite sayings he told us was, “Proud Veterans resent those who reduce their experience to meaninglessness.”