Changes

Born and raised on a Wisconsin farm, McCarthy earned a law degree at [[Marquette University]] in 1935 and was elected as a [[Circuit (subnational entity)|circuit]] judge in 1939, the youngest in state history.

Born and raised on a Wisconsin farm, McCarthy earned a law degree at [[Marquette University]] in 1935 and was elected as a [[Circuit (subnational entity)|circuit]] judge in 1939, the youngest in state history.

At age 33, McCarthy bravely volunteered for the [[United States Marine Corps]] and served during [[World War II]]. McCarthy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1952, but it was later discovered that he had exaggerated the number of missions he had flown in order to be eligible for this award.  It was later revealed that he had exaggerated other aspects of his service as well (1,2).

At age 33, McCarthy recognized the public recognition that came with being a veteren, and volunteered for the [[United States Marine Corps]] and served during [[World War II]], although he was still a circuit judge at that time. He managed to maintain his post even while he was away for years. He served mainly as a briefing officer, who was responsible for informing pilots of their mission. (4) McCarthy was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1952, but it was later discovered that he had exaggerated the number of missions he had flown in order to be eligible for this award.  It was later revealed that he had exaggerated other aspects of his service as well (1,2).

He successfully ran for United States Senate in 1946, defeating [[Robert M. La Follette, Jr.]] After several years in the Senate, McCarthy rose suddenly to national fame in 1950 when he brought to light the fact that "members of the Communist Party and members of a spy ring" were employed in the [[United States Department of State|State Department]].

He ran for Senate in 1944, but lost to [[Robert M. La Follette]], the longtime independent incumbent. He successfully ran for United States Senate in 1946, defeating [[Robert M. La Follette, Jr.]] After several years in the Senate, McCarthy rose suddenly to national fame in 1950 when he brought to light the fact that "members of the Communist Party and members of a spy ring" were employed in the [[United States Department of State|State Department]] in his famous speech in Wheeling, Virgina. He claimed to know the names of 205 members of the Communist Party, whose names were written in a piece of paper. He never produced the piece of paper he waved around, and as he was asked for the names, the number dwindled to less than 80.(4)

McCarthy made charges of Communist infiltration of the State Department, the administration of [[Harry Truman|President Truman]], [[Voice of America]], and a [[United States Army]] research laboratory. He also revealed the presence of communists, communist sympathizers, and disloyal citizens outside of government as well. With the highly publicized [[Army-McCarthy hearings]] of 1954, McCarthy's support and popularity began to fade due to the efforts of the mainstream media. Later in 1954, a special Senate committee was appointed to study and evaluate McCarthy's methods and actions. The committee exonerated McCarthy on all substantive charges. Following the recommendations of this committee, the full Senate voted to censure Senator McCarthy by a vote of 65 to 22 (the votes for censure included all the Republican senators and about half the Republican senators) for failing to cooperate with the subcommittee that was investigating him, and for insults to the committee that was trying to censure him<ref>Senate Report 104-137 - Resolution For Disciplinary Action. Library of Congress (1995). Retrieved on 2006-10-19.</ref>, making him one of the few senators ever to be disciplined in this fashion.[http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/60.htm]  McCarthy died in [[Bethesda Naval Hospital]] on [[May 2]], [[1957]], at the age of 48. The cause of his death was acute [[hepatitis]].[http://www.senatormccarthy.com/index.html]

McCarthy made charges of Communist infiltration of the State Department, the administration of [[Harry Truman|President Truman]], [[Voice of America]], and a [[United States Army]] research laboratory. He tried to expose playwrights, movie directors, government officials, and citizens of all levels. With the highly publicized [[Army-McCarthy hearings]] of 1954, McCarthy's support and popularity began to fade due to the efforts of the mainstream media and his lack of actual evidence and defendent convictions. Later in 1954, a special Senate committee was appointed to study and evaluate McCarthy's methods and actions. The committee exonerated McCarthy on all substantive charges. Following the recommendations of this committee, the full Senate voted to censure Senator McCarthy by a vote of 65 to 22 (the votes for censure included all the Democratic senators and about half the Republican senators) for failing to cooperate with the subcommittee that was investigating him, and for insults to the committee that was trying to censure him<ref>Senate Report 104-137 - Resolution For Disciplinary Action. Library of Congress (1995). Retrieved on 2006-10-19.</ref>, making him one of the few senators ever to be disciplined in this fashion.[http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/60.htm]  McCarthy died in [[Bethesda Naval Hospital]] on [[May 2]], [[1957]], at the age of 48. The cause of his death was acute [[hepatitis]] from smoking and drinking.[http://www.senatormccarthy.com/index.html]

==VENONA files==

==VENONA files==

#Morgan, T. (Nov./Dec. 2003).  Judge Joe:  How the youngest judge in Wisconsin's history became the country's most notorious senator.  Legal Affairs.

#Morgan, T. (Nov./Dec. 2003).  Judge Joe:  How the youngest judge in Wisconsin's history became the country's most notorious senator.  Legal Affairs.

#[http://www.foreignaffairs.org/19960101fareviewessay4179/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/anticommunism-s-two-faces-the-irresponsible-won-out.html ''Anticommunism's Two Faces''], Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Foreign Affairs, January/February 1996; as review of ''Not Without Honor: The History of American Anticommunism''. Richard Gid Powers. New York: The Free Press, 1995.

#[http://www.foreignaffairs.org/19960101fareviewessay4179/arthur-m-schlesinger-jr/anticommunism-s-two-faces-the-irresponsible-won-out.html ''Anticommunism's Two Faces''], Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., Foreign Affairs, January/February 1996; as review of ''Not Without Honor: The History of American Anticommunism''. Richard Gid Powers. New York: The Free Press, 1995.

==Copyright Notice==

==Copyright Notice==