U.S. Army Cpl. Gordon D. McCarthy lived a hard life before he was killed in combat on the frozen hills of North Korea on Dec. 2, 1950. According to his niece, Marilyn Stanton, McCarthy’s mother died six months after he was born. His grandparents, uncles and aunts raised him while his father worked. When his father remarried, McCarthy gained three more brothers, but when he was only 15 years old, his father died in a lumber accident.
Two years later, McCarthy joined the Michigan National Guard. After graduating from St. Paul High School in Nefaunee, Michigan, he joined the U.S. Army and became a soldier in the 7th Infantry Division’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry.
Sent to Korea, McCarthy was part of the ill-fated Task Force Faith, which the Chinese army attacked east of the Chosin Reservoir on Nov. 28, 1950. The task force tried to pull back south, but relentless attacks in freezing temperatures destroyed the unit six days later, when McCarthy was killed. He was only 20 years old. His body was not recovered at the time.
According to Debra Blemberg, the daughter of one of McCarthy’s half-brothers, “This is something that bothered my dad all his life.” She explained that her father “was there when they came to the door the day [McCarthy] was listed as missing in action.”
McCarthy remained MIA until 55 boxes of purported American service member remains from the Korean War were given to the United States by the North Korean government in 2018. Members of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency later informed Marilyn Stanton that they had identified her uncle. The news shocked her into silence. “I still have a hard time believing it after so many years,” she said. “I’m just sorry his brothers and sisters weren’t still alive to know that.”
For Gordon McCarthy’s funeral service, Stanton chose Arlington National Cemetery. “I thought Arlington would be the highest honor,” she explained. “It’s special, and he deserved that.”
McCarthy’s funeral service took place in Section 18 on Dec. 14, 2023, a little more than 73 years after his death. U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Joseph Campbell, who oversaw the service, told McCarthy’s relatives that he would be forever revered by his fellow Americans. “While many have served our nation honorably your loved one shed his blood and gave his life for the freedoms we hold so dear,” Campbell concluded.
After a firing team fired three volleys and a bugler sounded Taps, an honor guard folded the flag and gave it to Stanton, who stood up and thanked everyone responsible for bringing her uncle home. She then bowed her head a read a poem she had written. Her eyes teared and her voice broke a few times, but she still recited it with grace and dignity:
Welcome home our fallen hero, welcome home at last.
In this place of honor, we lay your bones to rest,
Amongst the other brave souls, who also gave their best.
You served your country proudly, we never will forget,
We sing your praise, we thank you, forever in your debt.
Rest now our fallen hero, for you are forever blessed.
