Richard McKenna(1913-1964)

Richard McKenna was born in 1913 in Mountain Home, Idaho. In 1931 he joined the U.S. Navy, retiring in 1953 as a Chief Machinist Mate. During his time in the Navy he served on the USS Gold Star AG-12, USS Asheville PG-21, USS Edsall DD-219, USS Luzon PG-47, USS Mount Vernon AP-22, USS Wakefield AP-21, USS Washington BB-56, USS Wisconsin BB-64 and USS Van Valkenburgh DD-686. In 1948 he won the Naval Institute Proceedings Enlisted Essay Prize for his article "The Post War Chief Petty Officer: A Closer Look". Upon retirement from the Navy he attended The University of North Carolina, where he met his wife Eva Grice, a librarian at the University. In 1956 he graduated with honors and undertook a career in creative writing. His literary accomplishments include "The Sand Pebbles"--made into a hugely successful film, The Sand Pebbles (1966), with Steve McQueen--"The Left Handed Monkey Wrench" numerous essays and an unfinished book of short stories "The Sons of Martha". He passed away from a heart attack in 1964.