Thomas P. Maguire

Thomas P. Maguire (8 June 1947 – 20 July 2024) was a career officer in the United States Air Force. A veteran of the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, he served from 1969 to 2005 and attained the rank of major general. A longtime member of the New York Air National Guard, Maguire's commands included the 137th Military Airlift Squadron and the 105th Airlift Wing and his awards included the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and three awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross. From 2001 until his retirement, Maguire served as Adjutant General of New York.

Early life Thomas Patrick Maguire Jr. was born in Mount Vernon, New York on 8 June 1947, a son of World War II veteran Thomas P. Maguire Sr. (1918–1990) and Florence (Martin) Maguire. He was raised in Brewster, New York and graduated from St. James the Apostle School in Carmel, New York. Maguire was a 1965 graduate of Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx.

Maguire attended the College of the Holy Cross from 1965 to 1969 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. While in college, Maguire participated in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC). Maguire was a standout cadet and received several scholarships and awards, including the Sons of the American Revolution Medal for exemplary excellence in the AFROTC program. At the end of his college career, he was designated a distinguished ROTC graduate and received his commission as a second lieutenant.

Start of career After receiving his commission, Maguire was an undergraduate pilot training student at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas from July 1969 to July 1970. From July 1970 to August 1970 he was a student in the Survival Training Course at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. He also oversaw New York's participation in the early years of the Global War on Terrorism, including the mobilization of thousands of military members for the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. Maguire died in Sun City Center on 20 July 2024. He was survived by his wife Deborah Georginne Combs, to whom he had been married since 1976, and their three children. and a third award of the National Defense Service Medal.

Air Force Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 oak leaf clusters Meritorious Service Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster Air Medal with numeral 9 Air Force Commendation Medal Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 3 oak leaf clusters Combat Readiness Medal National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal with two 2 bronze service stars Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Short Tour) Air Force Longevity Service Award with 6 oak leaf clusters Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass device and M device Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon Air Force Training Ribbon Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm Vietnam Campaign Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) New York State Long and Faithful Service Award (30 years) New York State Desert Storm Service Medal New York State Conspicuous Service Cross with 1 silver cross New York State Aid to Civil Authority Medal with 1 silver shield New York State Exercise Support Ribbon with 1 silver E device

Dates of rank Maguire's dates of rank were:

Major General, 30 April 2002 Brigadier General, 2 March 1998 Colonel, 5 December 1992 Lieutenant Colonel, 16 August 1982 Major, 16 March 1978 Captain, 11 June 1972 First Lieutenant, 12 December 1970 Second Lieutenant, 11 June 1969