Joseph McCarthy

Joseph Raymond McCarthy (November 14 1908 – May 2 1957) was an American politician originally aligned with the United States Democratic Party and later with the United States Republican Party. McCarthy served as a U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 to 1957. During his ten years in the Senate, McCarthy and his staff became notorious for aggressive investigations of people in the U.S. government and others who were suspected of being Communists or Communist sympathizers.

Early life and career

McCarthy was born on a farm in the town of Grand Chute, Wisconsin. Although both of his parents had also been born in Wisconsin, Joseph's paternal grandmother had been born in Germany, and his three other grandparents in England. McCarthy dropped out of junior high school to help his parents manage their farm, and later returned to school and earned his diploma in one year. McCarthy worked his way through school studying engineering and law, and earning a law degree at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1930 to 1935, and was admitted to the Bar association in 1935. While working in a law firm in the town of Shawano, Wisconsin, he launched an unsuccessful campaign to become District Attorney as a Democrat in 1936. In 1939, after which he successfully vied for the elected post of 10th District judge, becoming the youngest judge in Wisconsin's history.

Related Topics:
Grand Chute, Wisconsin - Germany - England - Law degree - Marquette University - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 1930 - 1935 - Bar association - Shawano, Wisconsin - District Attorney - Democrat - 1936 - 1939

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In 1942, shortly after the U.S. entered World War II, McCarthy resigned his judgeship and enlisted as a private in the United States Marine Corps, and later took a commission as a Lieutenant. His judicial office would have exempted him from compulsory service. He served as an intelligence briefing officer for a bomber squadron in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville. Wartime log entries list 11 missions under McCarthy's name as an aerial photographer and tail gunner, and he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross in 1952, although opponents who have investigated McCarthy question the Navy's decision to make the award. McCarthy was commended by Admiral Chester Nimitz for flying despite an injury, but others who served with him told investigators working for his opponents that his injuries (a broken foot) resulted from a shipboard hazing incident.

Related Topics:
1942 - World War II - United States Marine Corps - Commission - Lieutenant - Solomon Islands - Bougainville - Distinguished Flying Cross - Chester Nimitz

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He campaigned for the Republican Senate nomination in Wisconsin while still on active duty in 1944, but was easily defeated by incumbent Alexander Wiley. After resigning his commission in April 1945 and being re-elected unopposed to his circuit court position, he began a much more systematic campaign for the 1946 Senate election, again challenging a Republican incumbent, four term Senator and United States Progressive Party icon, Robert M. La Follette, Jr.. McCarthy enjoyed the support of the state party organization, and won the nomination narrowly. He easily defeated his Democratic Party opponent, Howard MacMurray, in the general election by a 2-1 margin, and joined Senator Wiley, whom he challenged two years earlier, in the United States Senate.

Related Topics:
1944 - Alexander Wiley - April - 1945 - Circuit court - 1946 - Republican - United States Progressive Party - Robert M. La Follette, Jr. - Democratic Party

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