[wideminded]

The film "Citizen Cohn" with James Woods, portrayed McCarthy's downfall as being in great measure due to Roy Cohn. It implied the the Army-McCarthy hearings, which did not go so well for McCarthy, were instigated by Cohn after the Army refused to give special treatment to David Schine, with whom Cohn had a homosexual infatuation. Anyone care to comment on the probability that this is historically accurate?

Whatever success McCarthy may have had in weeding out communists, I believe that it is generally accepted that he claimed falsely to have been a tailgunner in World War II and that he may not actually have had a list of 205 communists when he made his Wheeling speech. Perhaps someone can also comment on whether these items are true and how they should be seen in an overall interpretation of McCarthy.

[Lancey Howard]

I believe that it is generally accepted that he claimed falsely to have been a tailgunner in World War II

Apparently Admiral Nimitz thought that McCarthy was a tailgunner.

Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet, issued the following citation regarding the service of Captain McCarthy:

For meritorious and efficient performance of duty as an observer and rear gunner of a dive bomber attached to a Marine scout bombing squadron operating in the Solomon Islands area from September 1 to December 31, 1943. He participated in a large number of combat missions, and in addition to his regular duties, acted as aerial photographer. He obtained excellent photographs of enemy gun positions, despite intense anti-aircraft fire, thereby gaining valuable information which contributed materially to the success of subsequent strikes in the area. Although suffering from a severe leg injury, he refused to be hospitalized and continued to carry out his duties as Intelligence Officer in a highly efficient manner. His courageous devotion to duty was in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service.

I dunno.... you think Admiral Nimitz was delirious or something?

[DPB101]

The claim McCarthy was not a tailgunner is typical of socialist slander. There is a slim, technical element of truth in it. McCarthy was an intelligence officer. But he volunteered to be and was a tailgunner on many combat missions.

[nonliberal]

I think that assessment is pretty close.

[seamas]

He was my uncle Bob McCormick's tent-mate on Guadalcanal, and my uncle said he was a great guy. He also told me that the Marines used to smash their rifle butts in the Japs teeth during interrogation.