Historical Society Recalls McNarney

McNarney

Cameron County Historical Society members recalled Emporium's decorated military general, Joseph T. McNarney, (below) during their fall dinner Wednesday night at the VFW Hall.

A series of letters exchanged between the general's widow, Helen McNarney, and former Historical Society President Mayme Bowser, some dating b a c k upwards of 40 years, were read.

McNarney was born in 1893 at Emporium. He graduated from the U.S. M i l i t a r y Academy in June 1915.

During World War I , McNarney went to France and held various command posts. He returned to the U.S. in October 1919 and operated in flight schools at Louisiana and Virginia. He later served in intelligence, flight instruction and bomb command functions.

In 1939, McNarney became a member of the Joint Army- Navy Planning Committee. This assignment allowed the Cameron County native to help shape the structure and operations of the military in ways that are still in effect today.

He worked under General George C. Marshall to sweep aside the entire military command structure and develop a new and radically changed War D e p a r t m e n t , adapted to the circumstances of World War II.

Sue Dechant look over photos during Wednesday's Historical Society fall dinner at the Emporium VFW. Artifacts from the General Joseph T. McNarney collection were also brought from the Little Museum. Alex W. Davis photo

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he investigated the conduct of Army and Navy commanders in Hawaii. Later, as

deputy chief of staff

of the Army, McNarney developed the plan of antisubmarine warfare that eventually destroyed the German hold on the sea lanes.

In 1945, he became the top commander of the Mediterranean Theater, European Theater and the U.S. Forces of Occupation in Germany in November. He held several stateside positions after the war.

McNarney retired in 1952 and held executive positions with General Dynamics in California. He died on Feb. 1, 1972.

Many of Gen. McNarney's artifacts are on display in a special wing of the Little Museum in Sterling Run.