Lawrence Nicholas "Larry" Guarino (April 16, 1922 – August 18, 2014) was a U.S. Air Force officer, and veteran of three wars.[1] Shot down on his 50th combat mission, he spent more than 8 years as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War and earned the Air Force Cross.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Section 8742, Title 10, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Colonel Lawrence N. Guarino for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as senior ranking officer of a North Vietnamese prison camp during the period 11 May 1968 to 22 September 1969. Following the execution of a carefully conceived escape plan by two of his officers, Colonel Guarino, who was known by the enemy to be the senior ranking officer in the camp, immediately came under maximum pressure including savage torture without parallel. Colonel Guarino exhibited exceptional heroism, courage, and determination during this period. Displaying great resilience when back in communication, he assumed command once again and slowly built the prisoner organization. Through his extraordinary heroism and maximum resistance in the face of a brutal enemy, he reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.[4]
^Hubbell, John G. P.O.W.: A Definitive History of the American Prisoner-of-War Experience in Vietnam, 1964-1973 (New York: Reader's Digest Press), p. 50.
^Moody, R. Norman (August 19, 2014). "Brevard Vietnam veteran, POW dies". Florida Today. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
^"Tribute". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
^"Lawrence Nicholas Guarino". The Hall of Valor Project. December 30, 1945. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
March 05, 2023
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Lawrence N Guarino news newspapers books scholar JSTOR October 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Lawrence Nicholas Larry Guarino April 16 1922 August 18 2014 was a U S Air Force officer and veteran of three wars 1 Shot down on his 50th combat mission he spent more than 8 years as a prisoner of war POW during the Vietnam War and earned the Air Force Cross Lawrence Nicholas GuarinoColonel Lawrence N GuarinoNickname s LarryBorn 1922 04 16 April 16 1922Newark New JerseyDiedAugust 18 2014 2014 08 18 aged 92 Indian Harbor Beach FloridaBuriedArlington National Cemetery Arlington VirginiaAllegianceUnited StatesService wbr branchUnited States Air ForceYears of service1942 1975RankColonelUnit31st Fighter Group44th Tactical Fighter SquadronBattles warsWorld War IIKorean WarVietnam WarAwardsAir Force Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star 2 Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross 2 Bronze Star 3 Purple Heart 2 Air Medal 15 As a POW at Hỏa Lo Prison the Hanoi Hilton he shared a cell with John McCain citation needed the future senior United States senator from Arizona and Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election Guarino wrote A P O W s Story 2801 Days in Hanoi about his experiences in captivity He flew the Supermarine Spitfire in World War II citation needed His last duty station was Patrick Air Force Base and he retired to Satellite Beach and Indian Harbour Beach Florida after leaving the Air Force He died on August 18 2014 2 Contents 1 Awards and decorations 1 1 Air Force Cross citation 2 See also 3 ReferencesAwards and decorations EditLawrence Guarino s ribbons as they appeared at retirement 3 Command Pilot Badge Air Force Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star with bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross with V device and bronze oak leaf cluster Bronze Star Medal with V device and two bronze oak leaf clusters Purple Heart with bronze oak leaf cluster Air Medal with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters Air Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster second ribbon required for accouterment spacing Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Prisoner of War Medal Combat Readiness Medal Army Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze campaign star World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star Korean War Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal with three silver and bronze campaign stars Vietnam Service Medal with bronze campaign star second ribbon required for accouterment spacing Korea Defense Service Medal Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf cluster Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Armed Forces Reserve Medal Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross United Nations Service Medal for Korea Vietnam Campaign MedalAir Force Cross citation Edit Colonel Lawrence Nicholas Guarino U S Air Force Date Of Action May 11 1968 September 22 1969The President of the United States of America authorized by Section 8742 Title 10 United States Code awards the Air Force Cross to Colonel Lawrence N Guarino for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as senior ranking officer of a North Vietnamese prison camp during the period 11 May 1968 to 22 September 1969 Following the execution of a carefully conceived escape plan by two of his officers Colonel Guarino who was known by the enemy to be the senior ranking officer in the camp immediately came under maximum pressure including savage torture without parallel Colonel Guarino exhibited exceptional heroism courage and determination during this period Displaying great resilience when back in communication he assumed command once again and slowly built the prisoner organization Through his extraordinary heroism and maximum resistance in the face of a brutal enemy he reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force 4 See also EditWhen Hell was in SessionReferences Edit Hubbell John G P O W A Definitive History of the American Prisoner of War Experience in Vietnam 1964 1973 New York Reader s Digest Press p 50 Moody R Norman August 19 2014 Brevard Vietnam veteran POW dies Florida Today Retrieved October 27 2020 Tribute Veteran Tributes Retrieved October 27 2020 Lawrence Nicholas Guarino The Hall of Valor Project December 30 1945 Retrieved October 27 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lawrence N Guarino amp oldid 1115597553, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
