Health & Fitness
McGuire Air Force Base Named After NJ Native, Leading WW II Ace
New Jersey native Thomas McGuire grew up to become the second leading United States flying Ace of World War II. Today, McGuire Air Force Base bears his name.
Thomas McGuire (1920-1945) was a native of Ridgewood, NJ, and later raised in Florida. While assigned to the 475th Fighter Group of the Army Air Force, Major McGuire flew many missions in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
From August 1943 thru January 1945, the Major was credited with 38 kills, which made him the second leading American Ace of the war and was just short of the record of 40 established by “Ace Of Aces” Major Richard Bong.
On Jan. 7, 1945, Major McGuire was killed in action during an engagement over Negros Island. Major McGuire posthumously received the Medal of Honor. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1948, Fort Dix Airport was renamed McGuire Air Force Base after Major McGuire.
