- Born
- Died
- Birth nameRichard Milton McKenna
- 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.
- IMDb mini biography by: Graz
- SpouseEva Mae Grice(January 28, 1956 - November 1, 1964) (his death)
- McKenna had an unfortunately short literary career. He retired after 22 years in the Navy at age 40, started college that same year, married when he was 42, graduated college with all "A"s at 44, began writing "The Sand Pebbles" at 46, had it published at 49, and died of a heart attack at 51.
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