Paul Joseph Mccarthy

Paul Joseph McCarthy, a native of Binghamton, NY with strong ties to Western New York, died July 28 in Fairfax, VA. A resident of Falls Church, VA for the past three decades, he was 73 years old.A retired U.S. Army Colonel, he will be interned with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery on November 29 at 11 a.m.Col. McCarthy served with elite units including the 5th Special Forces Green Berets in Vietnam and the 82nd Airborne Division. His record includes numerous awards and decorations from the U.S. Army and from the governments of the Republic of Vietnam and the Philippines. His overseas assignments spanned Germany, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam with his final assignment at the Pentagon.Notably, he was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, a prestigious honor recognizing gallantry and combat service by infantrymen who served in the face of hostile enemy fire, jeopardizing their own life for the survival of others.Following graduation from Niagara University, he earned an Officer’s Commission as an infantryman. Throughout his 32-year military career, Col. McCarthy benefitted from diverse duties in command and staff assignments, encounters with special leaders, education, and training. Graduating from top military schools, he won early promotion and divided his Army service among field units and at the Army’s highest levels. He combined warrior skills with staff specialization in human resource management.Col. McCarthy remained loyal to Western New York. He was active in fund raising for Niagara University. In 1995 he received the Alumni of the Year Award from NU. He served in leadership roles with Buffalo Nite in Washington, DC.He is survived by his three children: Maura M. John Hoffman Clarence, NY, Paul A. McCarthy Fairfax, VA, Timothy V. Lindsay McCarthy Sacramento, CA; by his three granddaughters: Maggie Hoffman, Cady Hoffman, Madigan McCarthy; and his sister, Margaret Binghamton, NY. He was pre-decreased by his brothers William Antena, John Mary, Thomas and Vincent. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.Contributions in Col. McCarthy’s name may be made to Niagara University and the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org.Services will be held at the Ft. Myer Chapel Nov 29 2011 at 11:00