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William
J.
Maguire
DNB (1945)
1921

–

August 11, 1945

Born:

Boston

, 

Massachusetts

Home:

Boston

, 

Massachusetts

Buried: 

Coton

, 

England

Cemetery:

A.B.M.C. Cambridge

During World War II, William Maguire became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 7 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, before he was himself killed in the crash of a P-51 fighter on August 11, 1945.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 16, 1945
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 101 (June 26, 1945)

    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) William J. Maguire (ASN: 0-790281), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action while escorting heavy bombers of the EIGHTH Air Force over Germany, 16 January 1945. Observing a lone B-24 in distress, Captain Maguire, with his wingman, set up a vigilant patrol. Seeing that the bomber pilot was heading in the wrong direction, Captain Maguire made persistent attempts to direct him to friendly territory. Eventually successful in getting the bomber, which was now flying at approximately three hundred feet, on the right course, Captain Maguire gallantly exposed himself to draw enemy ground fire from the crippled aircraft. When it landed in “no man’s land”, he covered the crew while they escaped. A few minutes later, a direct hit forced Captain Maguire to crash land. The heroic and unselfish action of Captain Maguire in remaining with the damaged bomber at great personal risk was directly responsible for the safe return of the crew. The courage, flying skill, and unyielding fighting spirit displayed by Captain Maguire are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 16, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) William J. Maguire (ASN: 0-790281), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 16, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) William J. Maguire (ASN: 0-790281), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    351st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    353d Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 16, 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) William J. Maguire (ASN: 0-790281), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 351st Fighter Squadron, 353d Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.