Editor’s note: Mrs. Josephine McGuire of Houlton, who lost a son, PFC Harry J. McGuire III, during the Vietnam War submitted information for this article. “He did as many other young soldiers did — gave his life for his country. He may be gone but never forgotten … loved and missed by his mother and brothers, Larry, Bob and Dale,” she said. The following story entitled “Third Houlton Boy Killed In Vietnam” appeared on the front page of the May 31, 1967 Pioneer Times. It was written by Editor Marshall Hammond.
CENTRAL HIGHLANDS, Vietnam — There are now three Houlton families who have drastically felt the effects of the cruel war in South Vietnam. Mr. and Mrs. Harry McGuire Jr. were notified last week that their son, Pfc. Harry J. McGuire III, 20, was killed in action against the Viet Cong in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam.
Private McGuire, a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, was killed instantly by the explosion of a hand grenade during a close encounter with the enemy.
Sgt. Philip McCarthy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean McCarthy, Franklin St., and SP/4 Patrick King, brother of Mrs. Ed Duffy, Prospect St., were both killed in action in Viet Nam in December 1965.
Private McGuire entered the U.S. Army in October 1966, received his basic training at Fort Dix, N.J. and advanced infantry training at Fort Jackson, S.C. He had spent the Christmas holidays with his parents before leaving for California where he embarked for the Far East. He arrived in The Phillipines March 26 and in Viet Nam April 1, just a little over seven weeks before the date of his death, May 22.
He was born at Houlton on February 8, 1947, the son of Harry J. and Josephine Shaw McGuire. He was a member of the graduating Class of 1966 of Houlton High School. Surviving besides his parents of Houlton are: three brothers, Pvt. Robert McGuire, who is completing six months of basic training at Fort Dix, N.J., Larry and Dale, both of Houlton; one sister, Miss Linda McGuire of Houlton; his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Blanche Shaw of Houlton; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A full military funeral will be conducted by Army personnel from Fort Devens, Mass. and the Houlton Battery B, National Guard. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
