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