The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel Lawrence Nicholas Guarino (AFSN: 0-650614/ASN: 0-798126), United States Air Force, for heroism while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from July 1966 to August 1966. Upon his arrival at a prison camp located some distance from Hanoi, Colonel Guarino discovered that the prisoners were being prepared for a propaganda extortion attempt. In order to test the effects of the preparation program, Colonel Guarino was tortured by his captors by placing handcuffs on his forearms and tightening them until the bones in the forearms were forced together whenever he refused to answer his interrogators’ questions. Again, in early August, with full knowledge of the extent of torture his interrogators would administer, Colonel Guarino steadfastly refused to submit to their demands. By his heroic actions and extreme devotion to duty, Colonel Guarino reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel Lawrence Nicholas Guarino (AFSN: 0-650614/ASN: 0-798126), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period October 1965 to January 1966. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Colonel Lawrence Nicholas Guarino (AFSN: 0-650614/ASN: 0-798126), United States Air Force, for heroic actions while interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from June 1965 to July 1965. Colonel Guarino significantly reduced the effectiveness of the Vietnamese program of intimidation and maltreatment. Following his capture on 14 June 1965, he steadfastly refused to answer any of his Vietnamese interrogators’ questions despite the extremely severe punishment he underwent for 47 days. When it became evident that he would continue to resist even though he was near total collapse, his captors ceased the punishment. By his heroism and devotion to duty Colonel Guarino reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.