Veteran visits NMC’s Current Issues class

By Cassie Dlg Fejeran
Special to the Saipan Tribune

The Current Issues class of the Northern Marianas College has an unexpected guest late Thursday afternoon when World War II veteran David McCarthy walked into the room to share his experiences during the war.

Student Alexzeeva Babauta took the lead in introducing McCarthy to the class, which was being handled by instructor Sam McPhetres.

McCarthy, a doctor in the 2nd Marine Division Baker Company 8th Regiment, said that, although he was a doctor, he felt as if he played a part in the deaths of so many civilians.

Landing on Yellow Beach (Chalan Kanoa), McCarthy said he still remembers the sight of the beach awash with dead bodies. “It was just as far as you can see. Body…body…body floating on the water…bodies everywhere,” said McCarthy.

“This was the tough part of it. So many people died,” said McCarthy. “They didn’t have to…no.”

In a story that touched many of the students, McCarthy talked to the class about his dear friend. “Charlie gave me a picture of his girlfriend. He told me to give it to her if something was to happen to him,” he said. Taking a deep breath, McCarthy said: “He died…I visited his family after the war. I met up with his girlfriend. He was a good friend of mine.” He paused. “It happens; that’s war.”

After a fleeting second that seemed to go on and on, he mentally shook himself. “Where was I? Oh yeah, the bodies. All you can hear is meow, meow, like a little kitten because they were dying,” he said.

There was one incident with a little native boy who happened to be injured. “I was going to help him, but I was ordered to move on and leave. I kept walking and later heard a gun shot,” said McCarthy. “He didn’t have to die…I asked why did you have to kill him and he [another soldier] said that the boy will hate us if he grows old without an arm.” Pausing, he said, “It happens, that’s war.”

Referring to the Japanese and his views on them during the war, McCarthy claimed to have nothing against them. “Why should I hate them? They were here to do their job. I was here to do mine. If we don’t kill them, then they will kill us,” said McCarthy.

With all the stories he shared, one drew the attention of the whole class in particular, including McPhetres.

“I’m gonna tell you something. This is not like everybody. This is one bad apple in the barrel. One damn bad apple in the barrel,” said McCarthy. “His name is Mike and he was my friend.”

McCarthy said that Mike loved women. “She was about 14-15 years old…I can’t remember if she was a Chamorro, Japanese or Carolinian. He raped her. My God, I could see that the girl was crying. I wanted to turn him in but he would be thrown in jail. He had a family and kids.”

Just before leaving, McCarthy gave each and every one in the class a pen that had the 60th commemoration logo on it and his email address printed on it. The students all handed him their programs, papers, and printed CNMI Constitution for an autograph.