John Gerard McCarthy was born on February 6, 1921, in Connecticut to Mary C Mccarthy, age 30, and Patrick Joseph McCarthy, age 37. In Rye, the family of six lived at 41 Grapal Street and were members of the Church of the Resurrection. His father Patrick was born in the Irish Free State and worked as a carpenter.
His mother Mary was a dietitian and his three siblings, Daniel, Joseph and Grace were also born in Connecticut. John was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1938 and served as an officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.
First Lieutenant John G. McCarthy, 5th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group, 15th Air Force
 John was a pilot in the 52nd Fighter Group, 5th Fighter Squadron and flew P-51 Mustang and was stationed at Piagiolino, Italy. The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber.
 Johns 52nd Fighter Group was part of Fifteenth Air Force, serving in combat in the Mediterranean until the end of the war. John flew escort, patrol, strafing, and reconnaissance missions to help defeat Axis forces in Tunisia.
In Sicily, his 5th Fighter Squadron attacked railroads, highways, bridges, coastal shipping and other targets to support the Allied operations. Having converted to P-51s in Apr- May 1944, the group escorted bombers that attacked objectives in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, and Yugoslovia. Johns Squadron received a Distinguished Unit Citation for a mission on 9 Jun 1944 when the group protected bombers that struck aircraft factories, communications centers, and supply lines in Germany.
The 52nd Fighter Group was part of the bombing raids on the oil refineries at Ploiesti, Romania.  They flew one of the first shuttle missions to Russia, 4-6 Aug 1944, and received a second Distinguished Unit Citation for strafing attacks on a landing fields in Rumania, destroying a large number of enemy fighter and transport planes.
First Lieutenant John G. McCarthy was killed on 8/4/1944 during the attacks in Romania and was awarded the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. Rye High School Graduate, class of 1938.
COMMENDATIONS
★ World War II Victory Medal★ Air Medal★ Purple Heart★ United States Aviator Badge Army★ American Campaign Medal★Presidential Unit Citation★ Army Good Conduct Medal
Lieut. John G. McCarthy Reported Killed in Action Over Romania
Another gold star is placed on Ryes honor roll of heroic men and women in the countrys armed services with the announcement this week that First Lieut, John G. McCarthy was killed in action on August 4. The sad news was received on Sunday morning by Lieut. McCarthys parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. McCarthy, 41 Grapal Street, In a telegram from the War Department. It read: The Secretary of War asks that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your son, First Lieut. John G. McCarthy, who was previously reported missing in action. A report now received states he was killed in action August 4 over Romania. letter follows. Lieut. McCarthy was twenty-three years old and had a distinguished career as a fighter pilot. He was with the 15th Air Force based in Italy and was piloting a P-51 Mustang. His parents and friends were elated to learn that he had been awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement after completing forty-four missions. He was credited with destroying two enemy planes. Three days after learning of the splendid recognition paid their son, Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy heard on August 22 that he was missing. Hope was entertained that he might have landed safely in Romania. Prayers were said for him last Sunday at the eleven and twelve oclock Mass at the Church of the Resurrection, and a Mass will be said for him on Saturday morning, Lieut. McCarthy was a graduate of Rye High School and attended Manhattan College. He was employed by fhe American Cyanimid Company, Wallingford, Conn. , before joining the Army. Surviving besides his parents is a brother, First Lieut Daniel J. McCarthy, now in France with a medical unit; another brother, Ensign Joseph P. McCarthy, in the Merchant Marine, who was in Corsica when last heard from, and two sisters, Sister Mary Donald Kathleen, in. a convent in Fairf. eld, Conn , and Grace, of the home address.
RYE, NEW VORK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1944
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