VADM McCarthy graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He then joined the Navy and earned both his surface warfare and Naval Aviator designations. During his aviation career, he flew F2H-3/4 Banshees and the A-4 Skyhawk. He made a Mediterranean Sea deployment as landing signal officer and operations officer of VA-12 and was a test pilot at VX-5 in China Lake. He saw his first combat in Vietnam with VA-15 and then again as VA-95's Executive and Commanding Officer. He flew a total of 251 missions including 38 alfa strikes, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and 27 Air Medals. He completed his operational tours as Seventh Fleet Commander and finished his career as Director of Research, Development and Acquisition (OP-98).