b'Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst HISTORYMajor Thomas B. McGuire, Jr.Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr., whose memory was preserved by the naming of McGuire AFB, was born in Ridgewood, N.J., Aug. 1, 1920. He left Georgia Tech University in his third year to join the U.S. Army Air Corpsin 1941, reporting to Randolph Field as an aviation cadet.During World War II, his first combat assignment was flying patrols over the Aleutian Islands and Alaska flying the P-39 Airacobra. While scoring no aerial victories in the Aleutians, McGuire was able to hone his natural and instinctive gifts asPhoto courtesy Department of Defensea pilot. Returning to the United States in December 1942, heThomas Buchanan McQuire, Jr.transitioned to the P-38 Lightning. In March 1943, he was sent to the South Pacific as a P-38 Lightning pilot with theCenter (Aug. 1, 1920 - Jan. 7, 1945)49th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force.Five months later, the 5th Air Force decided to create an entire group, the 475th Fighter Group, of P-38 fighters, at the behest of its commander, the legendary Lt. Gen. George Kenney. Because he was a natural leader and experienced pilot, McGuire was among those chosen to form the newan instructor pilot with thousands of hours in that type of group. He was assigned to the 431st Fighter Squadron. aircraft, and kept McGuire and his wingman at bay. AnotherOn Aug. 18, 1943, McGuire was part of a group flying topaircraft, a Ki-84 Frank appeared on the scene from a nearby cover for bombers striking at Wewak, New Guinea. Nearingairstrip, and locked onto McGuire. In the turning battle that their target, the fighters were attacked by Japanese aircraft.ensued, McGuires P-38 presumably entered into a low-speed During the battle, McGuire shot down two Ki-43 Oscarsstall and crashed. He was killed on impact. and one Ki-61 Tony. On the following day, near the sameMcGuire was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously location, he downed two more Oscars. This established himfor his outstanding duty performance, especially in the 25-26 as an air ace in two days, after undergoing a frustrating yearDecember missions. McGuires other decorations included of apprenticeship with no opportunities to engage the enemy.the Distinguished Service Cross with three devices, two Over time, McGuire became one of the finest pilots ever toSilver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Purple don an Air Force uniform. His skill at maneuvering the largeHearts, and 15 Air Medalsall before he was 25. He was a twin-engined P-38 was legendary, and he eventually becamespecial man. McGuire AFB was dedicated to his everlasting one of the top scoring Airmen in Air Force history. Had it nothonor in January 1948.been for periodic illnesses and heavy administrative duties as Commander, 431st Fighter Squadron, McGuire would surelyJohn Adams Dix and the have become one of the United States leading aces. His short life was full. Charles Lindbergh bunked with him andHistory ofFort Dixflew as his wingman on a few highly unusual if unauthorized missions. McGuire even wrote a highly prized book on combatFort Dix is named for Maj. Gen. John Adams Dix, a tactics for the entire 5th Air Force. On 25-26 December 1944,veteran of the War of 1812 and the Civil War. During his McGuire reached the zenith of his careerdowning at leastdistinguished public career, he was a United States Senator, seven Japanese fighter aircraft over two days over Luzon,Secretary of the Treasury, Minister to France and Governor republic of the Philippines. He was two victories away fromof New York. Construction began in June 1917, and on July Maj Richard I. Bong, the USAAFs all-time aerial victory leader.18 the War Department named the cantonment Camp Dix. However, after cheating death many times on his way toDuring World War I, Camp Dix was a training and staging 38 aerial victories, McGuires tremendous achievements soonground for the 78th, 87th and 34th Divisions. Camp Dix came to a close. On Jan. 7, 1945, McGuire was leadinggrew quickly and became the largest military reservation in a group of four P-38s over a Japanese-held airstrip overthe Northeast. Following the armistice, the camp became a Fabrica aerodrome, Negros Island. After descending throughdemobilization center.cloud cover, McGuires flight attacked a lone Ki-43 OscarDuring the period between the wars, Camp Dix was a they discovered. Unfortunately, the pilot of this aircraft was training facility for active Army, Army Reserve and National 52 Power In The Pines 2023 JBMDLAir and Space Open House'