Daniel T. McCarty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daniel T. McCarty
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| 31st Governor of Florida | |
| In office January 6, 1953 – September 28, 1953 |
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| Preceded by | Fuller Warren |
| Succeeded by | Charley E. Johns |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office 1937–1941 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | January 18, 1912 Fort Pierce, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | September 28, 1953 (aged 41) Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Palms Cemetery, Ankona, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Olie Brown
(m. 1940) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Bronze Star Purple Heart Legion of Merit Croix de Guerre |
Daniel Thomas McCarty (January 18, 1912 – September 28, 1953) was an American politician and elected officeholder. McCarty was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, and served as its speaker, and was later elected the 31st Governor of Florida.
Early life
Dan McCarty was born on January 18, 1912 in Fort Pierce, Florida and was the son of Daniel Thomas McCarty and Frances Lardner Moore. His grandfather, Charles "C.T." Tobin McCarty would begin an operation growing pineapples during the 1880s in St. Lucie County.
His family was described as being prominent and he grew up in a large house on Indian River Drive just south of the present courthouse in downtown Fort Pierce. He attended the local public school in the area, Delaware Avenue School. While attending high school he would be the captain of the school's football team, editor-in-chief of the school yearbook and serve as vice president of his class. After high school he would go to the University of Florida. While at the University of Florida he was extremely active within Florida Blue Key, Student Government, the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, and ROTC.
After finishing his education in 1934, McCarty became a cattleman and citrus grower in Fort Pierce. He married Olie Brown with whom he had three children.
During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army, was promoted to the rank of colonel, and was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and the French Croix de Guerre. During World War II, he distinguished himself by being among those who landed on D-Day with the Seventh Army in the South of France.
Honors
Dan McCarty Middle School, in St. Lucie County, was named in his honor.
A sabal palm tree was planted on the grounds of the Florida State Capitol in honor of him as he would sign a bill as governor making the sabal palm the official state tree.
