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Highlands Today

Maj. McGuire's Heroic Actions

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By Jim  Konkoly | Highlands Today

Published: January 17, 2008

Sebring native Thomas B. McGuire Jr., one of the most decorated American war heroes of all time, won the Congressional Medal of Honor in a dog-fight air battle over an island in the Philippines.

Following is the Army Air Corps official citation of that battle and the reason he was awarded, after his death, the highest military medal an American can receive, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

McGuire's Medal of Honor citation was recorded by the 13th Air Force on March 7, 1946, seven months after World War II ended. He earned the honor for his heroic actions on Dec. 25 and 26, 1944, and on Jan. 7, 1945.

The citation reads:

Over Luzon, Philippine Islands, 25-26 December, 1944. He (McGuire) fought with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity over Luzon, Philippine Islands.

Voluntarily, he led a squadron of 15 P-38s 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 he himself was under attack and at times outnumbered three to one, and even after his guns jammed, he continued 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 (Japanese) Zeroes.

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 (American) 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 (fighter planes), destroying one, and then shot down still another, his 38th victory in aerial combat.

On Jan. 7, 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. He 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, Maj. McGuire set an inspiring example in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

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