John J. McCormick

John J. McCormick was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in 1932 during the Great Depression. The third child of nine, and the oldest boy, he lived in a cold water flat. His father worked in upstate New York on Lake Champlain, sending money home monthly to his family.

At a young age, Mr. McCormick began working for a peddler selling potatoes, onions and fruit from his horse and carriage. He worked for 25 cents a day, plus tips (scarce at the time), delivering orders to customers at their apartments. In 1942, he took a job at Thomas Roulston’s Grocery Store as a delivery boy, leaving school at 16 to work full time as a clerk.

At 17, Mr. McCormick was inspired to join the military when he saw his friend walking down the street in a sailor’s uniform. Initially interested in joining the United States Navy, he spent four months in the Yard before deciding to see the Marine recruiter. Due to his age, his mother had to sign the papers, and he began basic training in Parris Island in 1950.

While stationed at Camp Lejeune, the Korean War began, and Mr. McCormick was on a train to San Diego, and then a ship headed to Kobe, Japan. Loading and unloading ammunition during active warfare in the South China Sea, he spent the next 14 months in Korea. After Korea, he was stationed in Camp Lejeune, Puerto Rico, and Oahu, along with maneuvers in the Philippines.

Mr. McCormick returned to Quantico, where he remained for two years, doing various jobs including IBM work and managing the Quantico Basketball Team. His handball team won the championship in 1959 and, proudly, he still has his trophy. He was in the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force and was ordered to go to Okinawa.

Upon his return, he joined the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and was appointed in 1961. He was a Patrolman in the 32nd Precinct in Harlem, and eventually moved to the 14th Division as a “Plain Clothes” officer.

After the Vietnam War, the military found it difficult to get troops to enlist, and the NYPD and other City units were allowed to go into the Reserve. In 1975, Mr. McCormick joined the Air Force Reserve at the age of 43, as Sergeant (E-4).

Mr. McCormick retired from the New York Police Department (NYPD) in 1982. He spent 16.5 years in the United States Air Force Reserve; his last assignment was Superintendent of the 514th Security Police Flight. He attended many schools while in the Reserve, including the Air Force Senior NCO Academy.

Mr. McCormick retired at age 60 as Senior Master Sergeant (E-8) in May 1992.