Alexander Fournier McCarty
Corporal Alexander F. McCarty served with Depot Company B, 4th Base Depot, during the campaign for the Solomon Islands.
He was killed in the bombing of LST-448 at Vella Lavella, 1 October 1943
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 239086
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 1, 1915
at Demopolis, AL
Parents
Lewis Brock McCarty (d. 1937)
Minnie Ruffin (Bolton) McCarty
Education
Alcee Fortier High School (1932)
Occupation & Employer
Civil Engineer
US War Department
Service Life
Entered Service
May 2, 1942 (reenlistment)
at New Orleans, LA
Home Of Record
1426 North Prieur Street
New Orleans, LA
Next Of Kin
Wife, Mrs. Laure M. McCarty
Military Specialty
—
Primary Unit
4th Base Depot (Co B)
Campaigns Served
New Georgia / Vella Lavella
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
McCarthy served as a regular and a reservist from August 1, 1933 to September 30, 1940.
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 1 October 1943, Corporal McCarty’s company was assigned to unload LST-448 at Narowai Beach, Vella Lavella. The ship was carrying ammunition, fuel, medical supplies, and a company of Paramarines to assist in the ongoing ground campaign.
The depot men were hard at work when the deck guns began to fire. Japanese dive bombers appeared overhead and quickly dropped three bombs on the LST – at least one of which detonated in the cargo hold where McCarty and his comrades were working. Eight members of Depot Company B were killed outright, and several more were wounded. A further five, including Corporal McCarty, were initially reported as missing. However, it was soon determined that they were killed in the explosion and fire, and their bodies were either not recovered or not identified.
Burial Information or Disposition
None confirmed; possibly buried as an unknown in the Vella Lavella island cemetery.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of wife, Mrs. Laure McCarty.
