What:

Dedication of Sebring Post Office Building to Army Air Corps Major Thomas B. McGuire

Who:

The Honorable Scott Franklin, U.S. House of Representatives (FL-18)
Pastor George A. Hall, Avon Park Lakes Baptist Church
Dr. Brenda Longshore, Superintendent Highland County Schools
Laura Shirley, Principal Sebring High School
Ryan Conley, Manager, Post Office Operations, Lakeland, FL

When:

Friday, October 24, 2025, 12:30 p.m.
This event is free and is open to the public.

Where:

Sebring Post Office, 518 North Ridgewood Drive, Sebring, Florida 33870

R.S.V.P:

Members of the media may contact Carol Hunt directly at Carol.L.Hunt@usps.gov to register.

Background:

Major Thomas B. McGuire was born on August 1, 1920, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. In the late 1920s, he and his mother relocated to Sebring, Florida, where he spent his formative years. McGuire graduated from Sebring High School in 1938 and went on to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology to study aeronautical engineering. While at Georgia Tech, he was an active member of the marching band and served as a sergeant major in the ROTC cadet corps.

Following his third year of college, McGuire answered the call to serve and entered the U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program on July 12, 1941. He quickly rose through the ranks during World War II, becoming one of the top-scoring combat pilots in American history, with 38 confirmed aerial victories to his name.

On January 7, 1945, Major McGuire led a flight of four P-38 Lightning fighters from Dulag Airfield in the central Philippines. During the mission, his group encountered enemy aircraft over an airstrip near Manapla, Philippines. In an effort to protect a fellow pilot under attack, Major McGuire attempted a dangerous low-altitude maneuver and tragically crashed. He was reported missing in action and later declared killed in action.

In recognition of his extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice, Major McGuire was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1947. His valor and devotion to his fellow servicemen stand as a lasting testament to the highest traditions of military service.

# # #