Lawrence Nicholas Guarino

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Lawrence Nicholas Guarino (12054029/0-798126), Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Senior Ranking Officer of a North Vietnamese prison camp during the period 11 May 1968 to 22 September 1969. Following the execution of a carefully conceived escape plan by two of his officers, Colonel Guarino, who was known by the enemy to be the Senior Ranking Officer in the camp, immediately came under maximum pressure including savage torture without parallel. Colonel Guarino exhibited exceptional heroism, courage and determination during this period. Displaying great resilience when back in communication, he assumed command once again and slowly built the prisoner organization. Through his extraordinary heroism, and maximum resistance in the face of a brutal enemy, Colonel Guarino reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. (Colonel Guarino was serving with the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron at the time he was shot down and captured on 14 June 1965.)