Joseph McCarthy

Joseph McCarthy
United States Senator from Wisconsin
In office January 3, 1947 – May 2, 1957
Preceded by	Robert M. La Follette Jr.
Succeeded by	William Proxmire
Personal details
Born	Joseph Raymond McCarthy (1908-11-14)November 14, 1908 Grand Chute, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	May 2, 1957(1957-05-02) (aged 48) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Resting place	Saint Mary's Cemetery Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.
Political party	Republican (1944–1957)
Other political affiliations	Democratic (c. 1936–1944)
Spouse(s)	Jean Fraser Kerr Minetti ​ ​ (m. 1953)​
Children	Tierney Elizabeth McCarthy
Education	University of Wisconsin Marquette University Law School (LL.B.)
Profession	Attorney, judge, politician
Signature
Military service
Nickname(s)	Tail-Gunner Joe
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	U.S. Marine Corps
Years of service	1942–45
Rank	Captain
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

Joseph Raymond McCarthy (November 14, 1908 – May 2, 1957) was an American politician. He was a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visible public face of a period of intense anti-communist suspicion inspired by the tensions of the Cold War.

He made Americans aware that there were large numbers of Communists and Soviet spies and sympathizers inside the federal government and elsewhere. The term "McCarthyism," coined in 1950 in reference to McCarthy's practices, was soon applied to similar anti-communist pursuits.

During World War II he was a captain in the United States Marine Corps.

McCarthy died of hepatitis at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.