The History of the 351 Engineer General Service Regiment (August 20 1942 to April 20 1945)

Doug Palumbo's Tribute To His Father-In-Law, Ray McCarthy.

The following is an excerpt from the full article. It is not yet complete but I wanted to post something to go along with the pictures (of Ray and his time in and around Paris) and the History of the 351st document. Please stay tuned to this page for more on the great man that is my father-in-law.

Some time during the early summer months of 1991, I met Ray McCarthy. Ray had just turned 70 and looked much like you would expect from a respectable man of his age and western upbringing; slacks, shined cowboy boots, long-sleeved snap down shirt, western style belt and buckle, and a bolo tie. His hair was white, albeit sparse on top with just a little more on the sides and back. He regularly wore a stiff straw rancher-style cowboy hat that finished off the content, retired look quite nicely. Me, well that’s a different story altogether.

I had long hair (down to my shoulders) that curled up a bit on the ends. Alright, it was a mullet! (It wasn’t my fault…that was the style in the early 90’s) I usually wore jeans and a tucked in t-shirt (regular white undershirt). I had no use for a belt and typically wore construction style boots with the thick lugged soles. Both my ears were pierced…twice. I had gold hoops on the bottom and diamond studs on top. I looked like a cross between an out of work gay pirate and MacGyver.

For some reason that is still unknown, Ray seemed to like me and never gave me any guff about my appearance. Even if he thought I was a weirdo, he always treated me well and we got along great (and still do!)

Perhaps he sees something in me I don’t fully see in myself. I would like to think that maybe I remind him of an old buddy from back in his Army days or maybe he sees a quality in me that harkens back to a time when men took care of the business at hand yet were respectful and courteous; a quality from his generation that is sorely lacking in today’s world. That’s how I try to live my life and maybe he sees the effort and care I put into myself and my family.
 

History Of The 351st Engineering General Service Regiment

Company "C" G.S. Engineering Regiment 1st Sergeant Charles A. Jarr Morning report Book: These excerpts from the morning report were copied by Ray McCarthy, Tech V Mail Clerk - Chronicling a day in the life of this group...