He heard her crying. He went over and hugged and kissed her, saying, “Mom, don’t cry. Just please let me go. I’ll serve my time and I’ll be back home with yas.”
Harry J. McGuire III, second son to Harry and Josephine McGuire of Houlton, graduated in June of 1966 from Houlton High School.
Pfc. Harry J. McGuire III, 20, was killed in action against the Viet Cong in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam.
Private McGuire, a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, was killed instantly by the explosion of a hand grenade during a close encounter with the enemy.
Private McGuire entered the U.S. Army in October 1966, received his basic training at Fort Dix, N.J. and advanced infantry training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He had spent the Christmas holidays with his parents — 15 days with family and friends — and again in March when the family celebrated his birthday and his father’s — before leaving for California where he embarked for the Far East.
He arrived in The Philippines March 26 and in Viet Nam April 1, just a little over seven weeks before the date of his death, May 22.
“I had just sent him a big box of cookies, writing paper and different things he needed,” said Josephine. “I sent it over, but he never got it.”
PFC Harry J. McGuire III died of multi-frag and earned the following decorations: the Combat Infantryman Badge; the Bronze Star; the Purple Heart; the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal; the Vietnam Campagin Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation. Harry is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 20E, Line 86.
