The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Major (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action near Cape Gloucester, New Britain, on 26 December 1943. Major McGuire was leading a fighter squadron on protective patrol over an Allied invasion convoy off Cape Gloucester when thirty-five enemy fighter aircraft were sighted. He immediately directed a frontal assault. The attack began and an additional fifteen to twenty enemy fighters dived on the squadron, forcing it to lose tactical advantage by evasive action. At this time, Major McGuire saw below him thirty dive bombers preparing to attack the convoy. Faced with the difficult alternative of risking a diving attack on the bombers, which would leave his squadron mercilessly exposed to the enemy fighters above, or of concentrating on the fighters at the expense of the convoy, Major McGuire electing to perform his mission to protect the convoy at all costs, ordered his squadron to intercept the enemy bombers. Successfully eluding enemy fighters, two flights were able to make a devastating attack on the hostile formation. Under his brilliant leadership, the squadron destroyed ten enemy dive bombers and three fighters. Major McGuire’s conspicuous heroism and unrelenting aggressiveness were responsible for defeating the enemy attack and saving the convoy. Major McGuire’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Medal of Honor
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot with the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot with the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
August 21, 1943
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot with the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in an aerial flight over Wewak, New Guinea, on 21 August 1943. The escort formation of sixteen P-38s in which this officer was flying encountered approximately fifteen enemy fighters. Major McGuire fired a deflection shot into one of them at close range, sending it down in flames. Executing a steep wingover, he delivered several bursts into another hostile airplane, which burst into flames and crashed to earth. The outstanding courage and devotion to duty displayed by Major McGuire are worthy of the highest commendation.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot with the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot with the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
December 25 & 26, 1944
War Department, General Orders No. 24 (March 7, 1946)The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Major (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the 475th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force, in action over Luzon, Philippine Islands, 25 and 26 December 1944. Voluntarily, Major McGuire led a squadron of 15 P-38’s as top cover for heavy bombers striking Mabalacat Airdrome, where his formation was attacked by 20 aggressive Japanese fighters. In the ensuing action he repeatedly flew to the aid of embattled comrades, driving off enemy assaults while himself under attack and at times outnumbered three to 1, and even after his guns jammed, continuing the fight by forcing a hostile plane into his wingman’s line of fire. Before he started back to his base he had shot down three Zeros. The next day he again volunteered to lead escort fighters on a mission to strongly defended Clark Field. During the resultant engagement he again exposed himself to attacks so that he might rescue a crippled bomber. In rapid succession he shot down one aircraft, parried the attack of four enemy fighters, one of which he shot down, single-handedly engaged three more Japanese, destroying one, and then shot down still another, his 38th victory in aerial combat. On 7 January 1945, while leading a voluntary fighter sweep over Los Negros Island, he risked an extremely hazardous maneuver at low altitude in an attempt to save a fellow flyer from attack, crashed, and was reported missing in action. With gallant initiative, deep and unselfish concern for the safety of others, and heroic determination to destroy the enemy at all costs, Major McGuire set an inspiring example in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 913 (May 26, 1945)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1945. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain McGuire, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
September 7, 1941 – August 24, 1943
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot with the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, while participating in fifty operational flight missions in the Southwest Pacific Area from September 7, 1941 to August 24, 1943, during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These operations included escorting bombers and transport aircraft, interception and attack missions, and patrol and reconnaissance flights. In the course of these operations, strafing and bombing attacks were made from dangerously low altitudes, destroying and damaging enemy installations and equipment. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 54 (January 22, 1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain McGuire, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
431st Fighter SquadronRegiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 54 (January 22, 1944)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Thomas Buchanan McGuire, Jr. (ASN: 0-437031), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Captain McGuire, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.