World War II Honoree

Harry Philip Guinther

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Toledo, Ohio

Honored By

The Guinther Family

RADIO OPERATOR AND WAIST GUNNER ON A B-26 MARAUDER MEDIUM BOMBER WITH THE 9TH AIR FORCE, 386TH BOMB GROUP, 555TH SQUADRON. FLEW MISSIONS OUT OF BOXTED AND GREAT DUNMOW, ENGLAND. SHOT DOWN ON HIS 55TH MISSION OVER PARIS MAY 27, 1944. CAPTURED AND INTERRED IN GERMANY IN STALAG LUFT IV, COMPOUND A, BARRACKS 1, ROOM 1. ESCAPED FROM THE WINTER 1945 FORCED MARCH, WAS RECAPTURED AND ESCAPED AGAIN, THIS TIME FLEEING TO RUSSIAN FORCES LATE IN THE WAR. AWARDED 13 DECORATIONS INCLUDING THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, PURPLE HEART, AIR MEDAL AND THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION.