Daniel McCarthy

Retired Senior Master Sergeant Daniel Patrick "Doc" McCarthy passed away New Year's Eve, 2020, peacefully, in his sleep while the world was celebrating, drinking, and lighting off fireworks.

Daniel was born on August 5th, 1946 in Sacramento, California to Leroy and Catherine McCarthy.  After high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he trained in the healthcare profession. After becoming a Navy Corpsman, Daniel was stationed with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines in Vietnam from June, 1965 to August, 1966. During his tour in Vietnam, Daniel was involved in Operations Harvest Moon, Utah, Indiana, Hot Springs, and Montgomery. He was awarded two Purple Hearts.

After a four-year hiatus from military service, Daniel enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1971. During his time in the Air Force, Daniel was stationed both domestically and internationally, including tours at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, Makah Air Station in Washington, and two German tours in Bitburg and Hahn, respectively. He and his wife, Lori, sponsored several cadets at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, forming lifelong friendships.  

Daniel retired from the Air Force in 1994, boasting a 27-year military career. In addition to being a two-time Purple Heart recipient, Daniel was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with one service star, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver star, and the Humanitarian Service Medal, to name a few.

Daniel valued education and received an Associate in Applied Science in Allied Health Sciences from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor's of Science in Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University, and a Master's of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. 

For Daniel, the postwar years were filled with political activism. He devoted his time to aiding fellow veterans by championing for veterans' rights and benefits. Daniel was a motorcycle enthusiast and he used this passion to honor veterans by participating in the "Run for the Wall" in 1998, 2000, and 2003. In 2005, he rode the entire route from California to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. Those who rode with him knew him as Little Mac.

Daniel never knew a stranger. Those fortunate enough to hear his stories were in good company and know he possessed the gift of the gab. He embodied a rebellious spirit and paved his own paths. There was never a dull moment in Daniel's life. As a musician, he played bass guitar in several bands. He was a world traveler and lover of all things Irish.

Daniel is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lori McCarthy, son, William Patrick McCarthy, daughter, Kelly Kathleen "KK" McCarthy, son-in-law, Soren Gaiser, grandson, Felix Gaiser, sister, Mary Veerkamp, brother-in-law, Cleo Veerkamp, niece, Tracy Lynch, nephews, Jeremy and Colin Veerkamp, many other friends and family, and countless lives he's influenced.

He will be laid to rest with his fellow veterans in Arlington National Cemetery on May 13th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. 

Semper Fi!