Early Life
McKenna was born in Mountain Home, Idaho, on May 9, 1913. Seeking more opportunities than could be found in such a rural part of the country at the height of the Great Depression, McKenna joined the U.S. Navy in 1931.
McKenna served in the Navy for 22 years, including 10 years of active sea duty. He served in both World War II and the Korean War, and retired shortly afterwards as a Chief Machinist's Mate.
Due to the benefits of the GI bill, McKenna was able to attend college at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he studied creative writing. He also married a librarian, Eva, whom he met at the college.
Read more about this topic: Richard McKenna
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