By Cassie Dlg Fejeran
\nSpecial to the Saipan Tribune<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Student Alexzeeva Babauta took the lead in introducing McCarthy to the class, which was being handled by instructor Sam McPhetres. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Landing on Yellow Beach (Chalan Kanoa), McCarthy said he still remembers the sight of the beach awash with dead bodies. \u201cIt was just as far as you can see. Body\u2026body\u2026body floating on the water\u2026bodies everywhere,\u201d said McCarthy. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis was the tough part of it. So many people died,\u201d said McCarthy. \u201cThey didn\u2019t have to\u2026no.\u201d<\/p>\n
In a story that touched many of the students, McCarthy talked to the class about his dear friend. \u201cCharlie gave me a picture of his girlfriend. He told me to give it to her if something was to happen to him,\u201d he said. Taking a deep breath, McCarthy said: \u201cHe died\u2026I visited his family after the war. I met up with his girlfriend. He was a good friend of mine.\u201d He paused. \u201cIt happens; that\u2019s war.\u201d<\/p>\n
After a fleeting second that seemed to go on and on, he mentally shook himself. \u201cWhere was I? Oh yeah, the bodies. All you can hear is meow, meow, like a little kitten because they were dying,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
There was one incident with a little native boy who happened to be injured. \u201cI was going to help him, but I was ordered to move on and leave. I kept walking and later heard a gun shot,\u201d said McCarthy. \u201cHe didn\u2019t have to die\u2026I 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.\u201d Pausing, he said, \u201cIt happens, that\u2019s war.\u201d<\/p>\n
Referring to the Japanese and his views on them during the war, McCarthy claimed to have nothing against them. \u201cWhy should I hate them? They were here to do their job. I was here to do mine. If we don\u2019t kill them, then they will kill us,\u201d said McCarthy. <\/p>\n
With all the stories he shared, one drew the attention of the whole class in particular, including McPhetres. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna tell you something. This is not like everybody. This is one bad apple in the barrel. One damn bad apple in the barrel,\u201d said McCarthy. \u201cHis name is Mike and he was my friend.\u201d <\/p>\n
McCarthy said that Mike loved women. \u201cShe was about 14-15 years old\u2026I can\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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