Carl J. Cherney
World War II was a war that took a lot of courage and bravery to fight. One
award that celebrates the people who showed great gallantry during World War II is the
Distinguished Service Cross medal. Just over five-thousand Distinguished Service Cross
medals were made during World War II, which is about the same amount of royal medals
of merit made by the Royal Mint per year. They were awarded to anyone who
distinguished themselves by great heroism in connection with military operations against
an armed enemy of the United States. Carl J. Cherney is one of the people who was
awarded this coveted medal by General Douglas MacArthur.
Carl Cherney wasn’t just a sergeant in the army. He was a well-loved
husband, father, brother, and son. Carl married Marian Michalski and they had a one
month old daughter named Mary Ellen. Carl’s mother was Mrs. Ida Cherney. He had
one sister named Marie and two brothers named Ray and James. Like most families who
have lost their loved ones serving in the military Carl is still missed today.
During World War II one of the most costly and difficult battles fought was in
Papua, New Guinea although battles like Iwo Jima and Tarawa overshadow the fight in
New Guinea. Allied operations were essential to the U.S Navy’s drive across the Central
Pacific and to the U.S Army’s liberation of the Philippine Islands from Japanese
occupation. Many long days and nights passed before the fight in New Guinea was
finally over. Here in Papua, New Guinea Carl gave his life in defense of his country on
November 20, 1942, only months before the Battle of the Coral Sea. He was one of three
American soldiers who gave their lives in service near Buna.
World War II really was one of the largest and most terrible wars the world has
ever seen. An estimated three-hundred thousand Americans died. With all the big events
that happened during the war like the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Holocaust, the atomic
bomb, and other battles we don’t take much time to think of all the people who lost their
lives. Everyone should be thankful for the people like Carl Cherney who gave their lives
fighting in the war.
McKenzie Roth, Student
Marshfield Junior High
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