Major Thomas McGuire was a distinguished American fighter pilot during World War II. He is best known for his exceptional skills in aerial combat, flying the P-38 Lightning aircraft. McGuire achieved 38 confirmed aerial victories, making him the second-highest scoring American ace of the war. Born on August 1, 1920, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, McGuire graduated from West Point in 1942. He served primarily in the Pacific Theater, where he played a crucial role in various air battles against Japanese forces. Tragically, he was killed in action on January 7, 1945, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.