Major Thomas McGuire (Ace) Crash Site Memorial
Details:
300 meters off the main highway, along a dirt road.
A white stone about 5 feet tall with a black inscribed plaque attached to the front. The top if the inscribed plaques in includes the US and Philippines flag as well as the symbol of the Medal of Honor.
Major Thomas B. McGuire was assigned to the 431st Fighter Squadron, "Hades", 475th Fighter Group, "Satan's Angels", of the 5th US Air Force in the Pacific during WW2. McGuire had previously served in 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group in New Guinea.
The Pacific Theater of Operations produced the two highest scoring aces in American history, Maj. Richard I. Bong and Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr. Both men flew P-38 Lightnings in the Southwest Pacific, and each received the Medal of Honor in recognition of his courage and accomplishments.
Maj. Thomas B. McGuire scored 38 aerial victories in a P-38, making him America's second highest scoring ace. Among his many decorations was the Medal of Honor awarded for his actions on Dec. 25-26, 1944, when he shot down seven enemy aircraft. On Jan. 7, 1945, he crashed to his death on Los Negros Island in the Philippines while risking an extremely hazardous maneuver at low altitude in an attempt to save the life of a comrade. McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey is named in his honor.
McGuire aircraft was P-38L "Pudgy V" 42-66817 but on his final mission
on January 7, 1945 McGuire took off piloting P-38L "Eileen-Ann" 44-24845 and crashed on Negros Island. His remains were recovered in 1949.
Source of information and photos: National Air Force Museum website, David J. Mason, Justin Taylan / PacificWrecks.com
Monument Text:
A GRATEFUL FILIPINO NATION SOLEMNLY MARKS THIS SPOT WHERE AMERICAN P-38 FIGHTER PILOT
MAJOR THOMAS B. McGUIRE, JR.
WAS KILLED ON 7 JANUARY 1945
IT IS ETERNALLY ENSHRINED THAT WHEREVER A MAN HAS LOST HIS BLOOD FOR LIBERTY, JUSTICE, PEACE, AND FREEDOM THERE IS SACRED GROUND.
THE SUN CAN NOT BLEACH, THE WIND CAN NOT BLOW, THE RAIN CAN NOT WASH THAT SANCTITY AWAY
FROM GROUND LIKE THIS SPRINGS THAT WHICH
FOREVER MAKES MANKIND GREAT
