Dick H. Guinn

Dick Henry Guinn (March 27, 1918 – August 26, 1980) was a highly decorated officer in the

Four days later, Guinn led his Flight of Hellcats during the attack on Oi Airfield, Honshu and scored direct hit with a heavy caliber bomb, which destroyed a large hangar. He also destroyed two aircraft on the ground by strafing and directed his flight in destroying of two other hangars by bomb and eleven parked aircraft by rockets. For this meritorious achievement, Guinn received his second Air Medal.^[2][4]

Following the

In July 1959, Guinn entered the National War College in Washington, D.C., and graduated in July of the following year. He subsequently joined the staff of Commander-in-Chief, United States Seventh Fleet under Vice Admiral Charles D. Griffin and served as fleet operations officer until December 1961. Guinn then assumed command of the Combat stores ship, USS Rigel and commanded her during the exercises off the coast of Iceland in June 1962 and following the Cuban Missile Crisis in November that year.^[2][5]

In May 1963, Guinn assumed command of the aircraft carrier

In May 1969, Guinn was transferred to Washington, D.C., and assumed duty as Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel under Vice Admiral Charles K. Duncan. Upon the appointment of Admiral Elmo Zumwalt to the capacity of Chief of Naval Operations, Guinn was promoted to the rank of vice admiral on August 21, 1970, and succeeded admiral Duncan as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower and Naval Reserve) and Chief of Naval Personnel at Zumwalt's order.^[2][7][8]

Guinn assumed the responsibility for the bureau of personnel during the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam and faced many problems due to forces reduction. Despite this, he provided an authoritative voice in manpower decisions at the executive levels of the Navy, Department of Defense and before the Congress. Despite the pressure of austere funding coupled with a decreasing force, Guinn's deep concern for the morale and welfare of Navy men and women has been manifested in the many programs he sponsored to increase compensation eligibility, educational opportunity, promotion opportunity, and career attractiveness.^[1][2]

He remained in that capacity until the end of January 1972, when he was relieved by Vice Admiral David H. Bagley and retired from active service one month later, completing 30 years of service. For his service with the Bureau of Personnel, Guinn was decorated with the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.^{[1][2][9][10]}

Retirement

Upon the retirement from the Navy, Guinn returned to

Vice Admiral Dick H. Guinn died suddenly of cardiac arrest on August 26, 1980, aged 62, at Naval Hospital Pensacola, Florida. He is buried with full military honors at Barrancas National Cemetery together with his wife Muriel Jacqueline Parker Guinn. They had two children: Daryl and Charlsa.^[4][7]

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice Admiral Dick H. Guinn:^[1][2]

See also

• USS Forrestal (CV-59)

References