Howard Wesley “Doc Mac” McCoy

I was born:

28 August 1930 in Bellevue, Kentucky

I joined the Navy:

Cincinnati, Ohio on: 30 July 1950

I was Medically Discharged (for Korean War wounds) on:

25 May 1955.

At the time of my discharge, I was:

Hospital Corpsman 2^nd Class Petty Officer (HM2).

I served on-line with Easy 2/7 and then I served with Baker Medical Company Hospital.

Medal and Ribbons “I earned” while in the Navy were:

2 Purple Hearts, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, with 3 Service Stars & the Combat Operations Insignia, Navy/Marine Overseas Service Ribbon, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal, 50^th Anniversary Korean War Medal

Other than my combat experiences, the thing I remember most about Korea happened one day when I was working in the Battalion Aide Station.  The Surgeon and myself had just finished caring for two wounded Marines, and I was busy cleaning everything up for the next wounded Marines that I am sure … were soon to arrive.

I was working with my back to the door, and I heard this strong voice talking to me.  “Got any coffee Doc?”  I immediately turn around and came to attention, for standing in the door of my Battalion Aide Station was the one and only … “Chesty Puller”.

I got him a cup of coffee and he then said: “This coffee sure would taste great with ‘something’ in it.”  I gave him two small bottles of ‘medicinal’ brandy, and he was delighted.  He then said, “You know what would really make this coffee & brandy taste great ?”  I asked him: “What?”  He told me that he had not had a good cigar for several weeks.  I reached into my private stash and gave him six of my own cigars.  I honestly believe that he was so happy that he would have made me “a lieutenant” if I had asked him.   Ha-Ha.

You might find the following article interesting, so I am enclosing it to you.  O.K. ???

I was asked to write it several years ago.  I am not a poet, so please bear with me.

This was my first and last attempt at writing poetry … I promise.

“The Saga Of .. Doc Mac”

(OR … How I Earned My First Purple Heart)

Six weeks out of high school .. into the Navy he did go;

Korea was right around the corner .. his courage he was to show.

Left behind Mom, Dad, and his girl.

The trip across country was a big whirl.

Arrived in San Diego … Boot Camp to attend.

A hard 8 weeks … but then his body was on mend.

A Chief promised him a thick & soft bed …

If Hospital Corpsman School .. he would wed.

16 weeks later .. a Corpsman he was …

Complete with scissors, thermometer, and gauze.

Got into a mess with the Head Nurse …

Over his head there hung a curse.

The Chief said to Doc Mac … “Out of here !!”

He packed his bags and was on the Northbound  Bus with fear.

Arrived at Camp Pendleton … a Marine to become.

Left behind … a Young Nurse who was lots of fun.

Trained with Marines who were …  “The Best”.

Left the Navy behind … with the rest.

Into a truck and onto a ship.

Across the Pacific  … was a big up & down trip.

Arrived in Korea … and back onto a train.

On the ride North from Pusan … saw a lot of shot-up terrain.

Two days of Indoctrination … and then onto “The Line”.

By this time … Doc Mac began to count time.

With just had 13 months to go …

He did what he was taught to know.

Got his Helmet, Aid Pack, and Gun.

This was beginning to not look like fun.

Got a Jeep ride to the Front Line.

Sergeant told him everything would be fine.

Just keep your head down and your job you will do.

13 months later … his buddies had shriveled quite “a few”.

On patrol that very first night …

Gave Doc Mac … a very big fright.

By the next morn …

He was weary and worn.

Patched up his Marine Buddies …

While out in the Rice Paddy muddies.

Got a few hours sleep … then debriefing was begun;

Once again he decided it was not fun.

Three nights later … it was his turn again …

To go on patrol … his life to lose or to win.

Saw more action … lost a few friends.

Began to loose track of  their faces every now and thens.

The battle got worse … more buddies he lost.

The Marines would win … no matter the cost.

He’s now in Korea … 8 weeks …

An appointment with Death … he almost keeps.

Sole Survivor of the Out Post he is …

All the others … to God … they are His.

36 hours later … he opens his eyes.

Where are my Buddies ? … he cries !

They are all gone … where all Good Marines go.

Most are up in Heaven … having a cup of Joe.

Covered with pain from head to his toes …

He gets up out of bed … and back up on The Line … he goes.

The Doctor is mad as Hell !!!

Says Doc Mac will stop another shell.

With a huge bandage on his skull fracture …

His Helmet will not fit a fraction.

He took out the Liner …

Wished he was in a San Diego Diner.

Hailed a Jeep and hitched a ride …

He was going back to be with “The Pride”.

254 more Young Marines … are alive !!!

Because Doc Mac gave them a chance … death to deprive.

But .. it cost Doc Mac a lot …

90% of his hearing … is now just a blot.

22 years later … he got his Purple Heart.

Asked if he would ever again take part …

Doc Mac would always say … YES … for the Marines are his kin.

If ever there is another chance … again … Doc Mac would win !!!

It’s been a long time coming,

But Doc Mac now has Old Age.

Something his Buddies could never attain.

He now remembers … those nights of battle … over & over again.

The faces are there … but all with a stare.

Doc Mac could have been there instead of here,

But The Man upstairs … had for Doc Mac … plans,

To help carry on the McCoy name in the McCoy Clans.

An “original” poem by:

Doc Mac McCoy

14 March 1997

After my Medical Discharge from the Navy, “I tried” going to Electronic Technicians School … twice … but “flunked-out” both times, mainly because of my 90% loss of hearing in both ears.

Then, I moved my wife, myself, and our 18 month old son to San Francisco.  I took a very competitive Federal Civil Service Examination along with 503 other Veterans of the Korean War.  Because of my 10-point Disabled Veteran’s Preference, I came-in “4^th” out of that 504 Korean Vets who took that Examination.  I have always thought it was O.K. to be that high on the ladder, because I was nothing more than a Hill-Billy kid from Kentucky.

The next 4-years were involved with becoming a Journeyman Electrician.

I graduated in 1962.  It has been a nice way to support my family.

Currently, I am active in several Veterans Organizations, of which I am a LIFE Member in each.  They are the Disabled American Veterans, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Marine Corps League, and the First Marine Division Association.  I am proud being a member of each and every one of them.

I am on my second marriage, as my first wife died.  Together we had two sons and a daughter.  My 2^nd born son is a Master Sergeant in the Air Force. I am very happy with my 2^nd wife of the past twenty years.  She had before me, two very fine sons, both of which consider me to be their friend and step-dad.  We have one grand daughter and five grand sons.  This past summer, our grand daughter presented us with our 1^st great-grand daughter.

I consider myself to be very lucky and very happy with a family such as this.

For hobbies, I just love to cook and bake.  I have written and passed out to our family members and close friends FOUR cookbooks which I have written, assembled, and printed.  They all are most impressive.

I am also a computer freak.  Many a day I spend 6 or 8 hours working on my computer.  It is a great way to spend my time and it also takes my mind away from the pain that I have most of the time.  On my computer, I also do a lot of Family Genealogy work.  My grandfather was “a shooter” during the infamous “Hatfield & McCoy Feud” so I have done lots of research on both of these families.

During the mid-70s, I “tried” going to college, but it really was not for me.  I only went 2 ½ years.  I never did graduate, as I did not feel it was that important, as at that time, I was usually the oldest in my class, at 43 years old.

Hope you get some enjoyment out of this, as it is just about all there is !!!

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