Medal of Honor: Thomas B. McGuire Jr. – World War II – Philippines – December 1944

Name: Thomas B. McGuire, Jr.
Rank: Major
Organization: U.S. Army Air Corps
Unit: 13th Air Force
Aircraft: P-38 Lightning
Place: Over Luzon, Philippine Islands
Entered Service At: Sebring, Florida
Born: Ridgewood, New Jersey

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Summary of Action

On 25 December 1944, Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr., one of America’s leading fighter aces, voluntarily led a squadron of fifteen P-38 Lightnings as top cover for heavy bombers attacking Mabalacat Airdrome on Luzon. When his formation was attacked by twenty aggressive Japanese fighters, Major McGuire repeatedly broke formation to protect embattled comrades, engaging enemy aircraft even when outnumbered three to one.

Despite intense opposition and the jamming of his guns, he continued to fight—maneuvering hostile aircraft into the line of fire of his wingmen. Before returning to base, he had destroyed three enemy Zeros, ensuring the survival of the bomber force.

The following day, he again volunteered to lead escort fighters on a mission to the heavily defended Clark Field. During the engagement, Major McGuire exposed himself to repeated attacks in order to rescue a crippled bomber. In rapid succession, he shot down multiple enemy aircraft, personally accounting for several kills while single-handedly engaging superior numbers. His final victory brought his total to thirty-eight confirmed aerial victories.

On 7 January 1945, while leading a voluntary fighter sweep over Los Negros Island, Major McGuire attempted an extremely hazardous low-altitude maneuver in a final effort to save a fellow flyer under attack. His aircraft crashed, and he was reported missing in action. His courage, selflessness, and relentless determination set a lasting standard of aerial heroism.

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Medal of Honor Citation

He fought with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity over Luzon, Philippine Islands. Voluntarily, he 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 3 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 3 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 1 aircraft, parried the attack of 4 enemy fighters, 1 of which he shot down, single-handedly engaged 3 more Japanese, destroying 1, 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, Maj. McGuire set an inspiring example in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.