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A Tribute to our "Hometown" Hero!   Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr.


The Army Air Forces Historical Association is proud to announce the activation of yet another “squadron” to Remember, Respect and Honor our veterans.

In the long tradition of “On A Wing & A Prayer”, “The Bob Hope/Dawn O'Day Show”, the Battleship New Jersey-“BB62 Crew”, The “AAFHA Lady “ Trainer at InfoAge, we now have The Buchanan Project.


What began as a one-off invitation back in 2017 by the Civil Air Patrol McGuire Squadron at Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst to speak about Tommy McGuire has evolved.  We had met C.A.P. leadership over the years at the McGuire Family Day/Airshows and in Atlantic City and were finally able to accept their invitation to speak specifically about Tommy McGuire at their annual Dinning Out Night.  Flash forward and coming out of Covid, the C.A.P. invited once again the three of us to bring the story of Thomas Buchanan McGuire Jr. to life through the voices of Chris Hartney as Tommy, Wayne Placek as General George C. Kenny and Al Parisi as Narrator and various other personel.  

CAP 2023 NJ Wing Conference & Banquet on April 22, 2023. ​​

AAFHA-The Buchanan Project was honored to participate in the CAP 2023 NJ Wing Conference & Banquet on April 22, 2023. 

​Wayne Placek, Al Parisi, and Chris Hartney presented their Living History first person perspective of Medal of Honor Recipient Thomas B. McGuire's life and military career. TBP also staffed a static presentation where cadets and guests could ask more in-depth questions. Making this event so poignant was that the host Civil Air Patrol Squadron’s name honors McGuire, as does their base; Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst. This particular mission by The Buchanan Project also served as "recon" for the highly anticipated return of AAFHA’s a full contingent in the main hanger for Power in the Pines, May 19-21, 2023. 

The group also had the wonderful opportunity to visit the newly renovate USO Center at the Base. Even with the short 30 hours on base, we managed to explore the new passenger terminal  that's been completely renovated. Hundreds of model planes, really cool squadron ( 305th) history flip books, and cases of memorabilia. Eventually 2 security guards walked out to greet us after what must have been 15 minutes of laughing and wondering. We then talked base history with them for another 20 minutes

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Civil Air Patrol Dinner June 3, 2022, McGuire AFB


​This past June, 2022 The Buchanan Project was re-activated at the C.A.P. 2022 Dinning-Out and following dessert at the end of the affair came yet another special invitation.  We returned to JBMDL this past Saturday at the invitation of the Air Force Association (AFA) State President for their Annual Convention, and brought Tommy to life to an applauding audience.

Going forward, we look to perform The Buchanan Project at an upcoming AAFHA event/luncheon for members  and at other venues by either invitation or web sight  announcement.
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AAFHA returned on June 3, 2022, to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to address the Civil Air Patrol at their Annual Dining Out. AAFHA spoke about the life and times of the Squadron and Base's namesake Major Thomas B. McGuire USAAF.
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Flanked by Col Wes Adams, commander of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the 87th Air Base Wing far left, and Col Joe Abegg, the former NJ Wing Commander far right.     Center: from left to right, General Wayne Placek, Col. Albert Parisi, and Major Christopher Hartney.


​The NJ Civil Air Patrol commemorated the life and legacy of Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, by presenting a letter marking today as 'Maj. Thomas B. McGuire Jr. Remembrance Day'.

Born in New Jersey on Aug. 1, 1920, Maj. McGuire died when his P-38 Lightning crashed as he tried to save an American pilot who was under attack by an enemy fighter.

​McGuire Air Force Base at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst was dedicated in his honor in 1949. In addition, the Civil Air Patrol Squadron at JB MDL – The Maj Thomas B. McGuire Jr. Composite Squadron -- was established in 1965.