Dick H. Guinn

Dick Henry Guinn (March 27, 1918 – August 26, 1980) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of vice admiral. A Naval Academy graduate, he distinguished himself as pilot and flight leader of Fighter Squadron 94 during the sinking of Japanese cruiser Aoba in July 1945, for which he received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

Early career and World War II Dick H. Guinn was born on March 27, 1918, in Palestine, Texas, the son of Jack Simpson and Ruby Aurelia Guinn. He graduated from the high school and entered the Texas College of Mines in El Paso, Texas, where he completed one year, before received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in May 1937. During his time at the academy, Guinn was active in the lacrosse team and also was a member of the Musical Club.

In May 1963, Guinn assumed command of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal and took part in the carrier suitability trials off the East Coast of the United States. He later led his vessel to the Mediterranean Sea and returned to Washington, D.C., for duty with the Office of Navy Program Appraisal in July 1964.

Vietnam War Guinn was promoted to the rank of rear admiral on June 1, 1965, and assumed command of Carrier Division 4, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. He remained in that capacity until May 1967, when he was sent to the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, for duty as Chief of Naval Air Basic Training. His main duty was to train Naval aviators and support personnel during the ongoing Vietnam War and his tenure was marked with the establishing of many new concepts of training and increasing the number of flight hours flown by eleven percent while reducing the accident rate by twelve percent. Guinn was later decorated with the Legion of Merit for his service with Naval Air Basic Training.

Guinn assumed the responsibility for the bureau of personnel during the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam and faced many problems due to forces reduction. Despite this, he provided an authoritative voice in manpower decisions at the executive levels of the Navy, Department of Defense and before the Congress. Despite the pressure of austere funding coupled with a decreasing force, Guinn's deep concern for the morale and welfare of Navy men and women has been manifested in the many programs he sponsored to increase compensation eligibility, educational opportunity, promotion opportunity, and career attractiveness.

Retirement Upon the retirement from the Navy, Guinn returned to Pensacola, Florida, and assumed job as vice president and dean for university relations and development at the University of West Florida. While in this capacity he later assumed additional duty as professor of political science, bringing his military knowledge into the classroom. Guinn was also active in many organizations including the Navy League, Council on the Ageing and the United Way and the Historic Preservation Society.

Decorations Here is the ribbon bar of Vice Admiral Dick H. Guinn: