| Lawrence Nicholas Guarino | |
| Nickname: | Larry |
| Birth Date: | 16 April 1922 |
| Birth Place: | Newark, New Jersey |
| Death Place: | Indian Harbor Beach, Florida |
| Placeofburial: | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Air Force |
| Serviceyears: | 1942–1975 |
| Rank: | Colonel |
| Unit: | 31st Fighter Group 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron |
| Battles: | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
| Awards: | Air Force Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Bronze Star Medal (3) Purple Heart (2) Air Medal (15) |
Lawrence Nicholas "Larry" Guarino (April 16, 1922 – August 18, 2014) was a United States Air Force officer, and veteran of three wars.[1] Shot down on his 50th combat mission, he spent more than eight years as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War and earned the Air Force Cross.
As a POW at Hỏa Lò Prison (the "Hanoi Hilton"), he shared a cell with John McCain, 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.
Guarino flew the Supermarine Spitfire in World War II. 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]
Lawrence Guarino's ribbons as they appeared at retirement:[3]
Command Pilot Badge
| Air Force Cross | ||
| 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) | ||
| Prisoner of War 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 | ||
| 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) | ||
| 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 Medal |
Colonel Lawrence Nicholas Guarino
U.S. Air Force
Date Of Action: May 11, 1968 – September 22, 1969