Prior to serving in Vietnam, Colonel Guy flew 101 missions in an F-84 in Korea. In Vietnam Colonel Guy was serving as a pilot in the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron at the time he was shot down and captured on 22 March 1968. Attempting to escape and evade after he was shot down, he killed two North Vietnamese soldiers before he was captured. Following his captivity in North Vietnam, he was repatriated in 1973. He retired as a U.S. Air Force Colonel on August 21, 1975.
Sponsored by:
Theodore
Wilson
Guy
POW (RVN)
April 18, 1929
–
May 23, 1999
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery
Awards Received
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Air Force Cross
-
Prisoner of War Medal
-
Legion of Merit
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Bronze Star Medal
-
Silver Star
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Captain [then First Lieutenant]Regiment:
474th Fighter Bomber GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
April 10, 1953
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 Captain [then First Lieutenant] Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in armed aerial combat against the enemy as leader of a flight of four F-84 type aircraft assigned to the 474th Fighter Bomber Group, Fifth Air Force, on 10 April 1953. Briefed to perform a last light armed reconnaissance of enemy main supply routes in North Korea, Captain Guy led his flight through below marginal weather to the target area. Shortly after starting his reconnaissance, Captain Guy noticed a train being loaded on a siding north of Yangdok. He skillfully set up a dive bombing attack on the train, and diving his plane to the minimum altitude in spite of extremely intense anti-aircraft fire he released one bomb. Captain Guy’s bomb was observed to score a direct hit, and all the bombs dropped by the flight hit in the immediate target area, resulting in eight boxcars being completely destroyed and two rail cuts. As he pulled off the target, Captain Guy noticed a line engine with eight boxcars further along the tracks and expertly maneuvered his flight for another pass. This time Captain Guy and his flight succeeded in derailing all eight boxcars. As the engine attempted to escape, Captain Guy, disregarding the increasingly accurate enemy flak, led his flight on a strafing pass, and his fifty caliber API bullets were observed to go directly through the engine, apparently disabling it. Through his skill, courage and devotion to duty while under fire, Captain Guy has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 22, 1968 –
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. His ceaseless efforts to conduct himself strictly in accord with the Code of Conduct and policies of the prisoner organization in the difficult conditions of a communist prison clearly demonstrated his loyalty, love of country, and professionalism. By his unselfish dedication to duty, he reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
May 1969 – September 1969
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 Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), 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 May 1969 to September 1969. 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.
-
Air Force Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
January 25 to May 25, 1972
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Colonel Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from 25 January 1972 to 25 May 1972. During this period, Colonel Guy was subjected to maximum punishment and torture by Vietnamese guards to obtain a detailed confession of escape plans, policies, and orders that he had issued as the senior ranking officer in the prisoner of war camp in which he was commander, and the communications methods used by the Americans interned in the camp. He withstood this punishment and gave nothing of value to the Vietnamese while sustaining many wounds to his body. Through his extraordinary heroism and willpower in the face of the enemy, Colonel Guy reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Prisoner of War Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (Laos & North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 22, 1968 – March 16, 1973
Colonel Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in Laos and North Vietnam from March 22, 1968 until his release on March 16, 1973.
-
Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 27, 1973 – August 31, 1975
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-511 (June 25, 1975)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Special Assistant to the Commander and Vice Commander, 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, and as Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters NINTH Air Force, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina from 27 July 1973 to 31 August 1975. During this period, the exceptional professional skill, leadership, and ceaseless efforts of Colonel Guy contributed significantly to the combat effectiveness of tactical forces assigned to NINTH Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Guy culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-2551 (August 19, 1968)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 Lieutenant Colonel Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-4C Aircraft Commander at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, Republic of Vietnam on 7 November 1967. On that date, Colonel Guy was on takeoff roll with his aircraft at nearly maximum gross weight when the right main gear tire blew out just at the computed maximum refusal speed. Colonel Guy’s adroit handling of this dire emergency when irreversible decisions had to be made in seconds and his superior knowledge of the aircraft systems saved the lives of two aircrewmen and preserved a valuable aircraft that could be returned to flight. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Guy reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 15, 1968 – April 28, 1968
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 Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, for heroic actions against an enemy armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period 15 March 1968 to 28 April 1968. The North Vietnamese and interrogators and guards kept constant pressure on this officer through harassment, intimidation, and cruelties from which they hoped to gain information and cooperative participation in their propaganda exercises. This individual heroically resisted their treatment in a manner which served as an inspiration to others in the camp and reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
-
Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelDivision:
Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)Action Date:
March 22, 1968 – March 16, 1973
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Colonel Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the period from 22 March 1968 to 16 March 1973. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force.
-
Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainRegiment:
474th Fighter Bomber GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
May 17, 1953
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 557 (August 14, 1953)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 Captain Theodore Wilson Guy (AFSN: 0-1911304), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight on 17 May 1953, as pilot of an F-84 type aircraft assigned to the 474th Fighter Bomber Group, FIFTH Air Force. Captain Guy was performing a night armed reconnaissance of the enemy main supply route between Sinanju and Namei-dong in extreme Northwest Korea when he noticed a B-29 medium bomber caught in the radar-controlled searchlights at Ch’aryon-gwanh. Enemy heavy flak was bursting very close to the bomber, so Captain Guy rapidly made the decision to dive bomb the searchlights. While his bombs hit in the immediate area the lights still did not go out. Observing that the bomber was in imminent danger of being shot down, Captain Guy, with utter disregard for his own safely, made a strafing pass on the lights. One of the lights glowed very bright and then went out, a victim of Captain Guy’s accurate marksmanship. The other lights were quickly turned out, but Captain Guy fearlessly made another strafing pas on where he thought they were. Regaining altitude after this second pass, the lights came on again and locked on Captain Guy’s aircraft. The heavy guns then began firing at him, but he successfully eluded them. The bomber was saved from further damage due to Captain Guy’s brave efforts. By his skill, courage and devotion to duty, Captain Guy has brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.