From the Peabody Times, March 3, 1967, p. 4
He Died for His Beliefs
The distant war in Viet Nam was brought home poignantly with the death of a native son, S. Sgt.
John E. McCarthy.
John was cut down by Communist gunfire in the far reaches of that Southeast Asian country as
he
bravely led his troops down the gun barrels of the enemy last week.
His death shocked his family and cast a sodden gloom on his former friends and neighbors.
John McCarthy was the epitome of the American thirst for freedom and democracy around the
world. He volunteered for the elite Special Forces, the famed Green Berets, after his military
obligation already had been satisfied.
He again volunteered to fight for his inherent beliefs while countless people his age paraded
shouting anti-war slogans.
He asked for no quarter as he led his men into the deadly fusillade of gunfire and paid the
supreme
price for his cherished ideals.
The tears, the brief military pageantry at this funeral, and the painful memories of his community
will not bring John McCarthy back to life.
What remains in the remembrance of why this 24-year-old sacrificed his life in the jungles and
heat
of Viet Nam?
John died for what he sincerely believed in, and, for what his deeds would do for Peabody, the
country, and hopefully, the world.
It isn't enough for we in Peabody to lower our flags, bow our heads and reminisce about
McCarthy and then return to our routine activities. With this memory, it remains for all of us to
ponder on our way of life, our freedom and our heritage.
John believed what he learned about democracy in school right to his untimely death. This
bereaved community, which is fortunate to have McCarthy and his kind to keep the bombs and
bullets away, should harken to this practical lesson in civics and remember it well.
from The Peabody Times, 3/1/1967
Peabody Hero in Vietnam
He Kept Moving….and Died
by Irving H. Shear
He was hit in the shoulder then in the hip. He kept moving forward. Then he got it for a the third
time and that did it. That was how S. Sgt. John E. McCarthy of Peabody was cut down in a
withering fire of automatic Communist weapons in the underbrush in South Vietnam.
His senior advisor and friend, S. Sgt. James P. Monahan of Fayetteville, N.C. has recommended
the Peabody resident posthumously for the silver star, the third highest award for valor.
McCarthy, 24, of 30 Newcastle, is the first Peabody member of the famed Green Berets Special
Forces to be killed in action in Vietnam.
Advised Chinese
McCarthy was one of four American advisors at a company of 158 Chinese Nungs which is
stationed about 95 miles northwest of Saigon near Cambodia.
"We are part of a reaction force which goes out first to meet any Community attack and stop it
before American reinforcements arrive," explained Monaghan.
McCarthy, who was with Monaghan for about a year, was with his platoon of 28 of the hired
warriors on the afternoon of Feb. 22 in search of the enemy in thick undergrowth near the
Cambodian border.
"We were caught in an L-shaped ambush," remembered Monaghan. "The adviser of the lead
platoon signaled McCarthy to circle around the wall of fire in front."
McCarthy and his men were quickly cut down by a hail of fire from the side and suffered the
worst
casualties. Monaghan said that half of this platoon was killed in the ambush.
"When they're that close, the only thing to do is move forward," the Green Beret remembered.
Leads Men Onward
McCarthy led his men through the sheet of bullets to blunt the enemy onslaught he said
Monaghan
and the attackers were in multi-battalion strength.
McCarthy, who had six months left in his tour of duty, was also recommended by Monaghan for
the bronze star for combat several weeks previously.
McCarthy was taken to an aid station by helicopter where he was given the last rites of the
Catholic Church. Monghan escorted the flag-draped casket home and stood as honor guard
during the wake Monday and Tuesday and the funeral this morning.
Monaghan then was to return to Vietnam for five more months, a total of 32 months. The 11year
veteran who was wounded in Vietnam two years ago will become a province representative for
the U.S. State Department in Thailand after his discharge. Monaghan is also a recipient of the
silver star.
Monaghan while in Peabody stayed with Lt. Nicholas Manning, Kingdom Terrace, also a
member
of the Special Forces.
From The Peabody Times, March 1, 1967
Military Honors Given Green Beret McCarthy
S. Sgt. John E. McCarthy, 24, of 30 Newcastle Rd. was to be buried with military honors today
in his native city after he died a hero's death in South Vietnam on Feb. 22.
McCarthy was killed while leading his Chinese hired warriors through a Communist ambush
near
the Cambodian border.
He leaves his mother, Mr. Mary (Leonard) McCarthy, three brothers, Peter C., a Peabody
School Committeeman; James A., a University of Vermont medical student, and Robert A., a
senior at St. John's Preparatory School, Danvers; and a sister Miss Anne E. McCarthy, a Salem
Commercial School student.
Born in Peabody to Mary McCarthy and the late Charles McCarthy, he attended Carroll
Elementary School and was graduated from Peabody High School in 1961.
McCarthy enlisted in the Army right after graduation and was assigned to the airborne. He
re-enlisted in September 1969 and he became a member of the 5th Special Forces, Green Berets.
He volunteered for duty in Vietnam.