Thomas Weller McCarthy
Captain, U.S. Army

On 3 March 1964, Captain Thomas Weller McCarthy was serving with Advisory Team 77, Headquarters, Military Assistance Advisory Group Advisors, Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam.

On that day, CPT McCarthy was Senior Advisor to a Vietnamese Airborne Battalion. While the airborne troops were moving across open territory at daybreak toward their 2nd objective, they were attacked by hostile forces from 3 directions and subjected to a barrage of concentrated fire from small arms, automatic weapons, mortars, and recoilless rifles. As the casualties mounted rapidly and the friendly troops became confused, CPT McCarthy moved into the hostile gun fire to organize the troops and establish an effective base of operations. He then joined his counterpart with the lead element and continued his efforts to rally and encourage the troops until he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions inspired his Vietnamese comrades to pursue their defense efforts and accomplish their objective. CPT McCarthy's extraordinary heroism, at the cost of his life, earned him the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor, the Distinguished Service Cross.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Distinguished Service Cross
Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge

Distinguished Service Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Captain (Infantry) Thomas Weller McCarthy (ASN: 0-72145), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving an opposing force in the Republic of Vietnam on 3 March 1964. As Senior Advisor to a Vietnamese Airborne Battalion, Captain McCarthy demonstrated decisive leadership and fortitude during a mission into an assault zone in support of military operations conducted by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam in defense of their homeland. While the airborne troops were moving across open territory at daybreak toward their second objective, they were suddenly attacked by hostile forces from three directions and subjected to a barrage of concentrated fire from small arms, automatic weapons, mortars, and recoilless rifles. As the casualties mounted rapidly and the friendly troops were thrown into confusion, Captain McCarthy displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety and unhesitatingly moved into the inferno of hostile gun fire to organize the troops and establish an effective base of operations. He then joined his counterpart with the lead element and continued his brave efforts to rally and encourage the troops until he was mortally wounded. Through his courageous conduct, unselfish actions, and dedicated devotion to duty, his Vietnamese comrades were inspired to pursue their defense efforts and successfully accomplished their objective. Captain McCarthy's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Department of the Army, General Orders No. 18 (May 29, 1964)

Honors

The name Thomas W McCarthy is located on Panel 1E Line 45 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Burial

Captain Thomas Weller McCarthy is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Arlington County, VA, in Section 1.

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