Wayne Thomas McGuire, 1949-1968

MCGUIRE, RYAN

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 6/4/2014 at 15:17:46

Wayne McGuire's Sudden Death Linked to Vietnam Wounds

Nineteen-year old T-4 Wayne Thomas McGuire, a wounded Vietnam McGuire, a wounded Vietnam War veteran, was dead on arrival at Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital Thursday after he was stricken while working at Lundell Mfg. Company in Cherokee.

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McGuire, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McGuire of rural Peterson, was helping with construction for a new Lundell addition.

His task was to hook up a cable on the end of a hoist and put tongs on steel beams for lifting. Workers at the scene said McGuire was some five feet away from the cable when he suddenly spun over and fell to the ground.

Artificial resuscitation was attempted with a unit from Sioux Valley Memorial Hospital within a few minutes. But it proved unsuccessful. McGuire was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Was Wounded

He was seriously wounded about the right side with shrapnel in Vietnam fighting last spring. Following his return to the United States, McGuire had spent several months convalescing at Fitzsimmons Army hospital in Denver.

He had returned home on leave from the hospital about six weeks ago, but had not yet received his discharge papers from the U.S. Army.

Dr. Don C. Koser ordered an autopsy by Dr. Mary Troll of the Mental Health Institute staff after examining the soldier's body.

Following the autopsy Dr. Koser said, that McGuire's sudden death was linked to his Vietnam war wounds.

Funeral services for Wayne Thomas McGuire were held Saturday at the Greenwood Funeral Home with Phil Gardner, minister of the First Church of Christ officiating. Burial was in the Buena Vista Memorial Cemetery at Storm Lake. Members of the American Legions Post No. 10 of Peterson conducted military rites at the graveside.

Wayne T. McGuire, 19, son of Tom and Viola Ryan McGuire was born Sept. 25, 1949 at Sioux City.

On Jan. 5, 1967, he entered U.S. Army service and was sent to Vietnam where in the spring of 1968 he was seriously wounded. He was returned to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital at Denver where he convalesced for two months. He was then sent home where he was awaiting discharge from the service.

Survivors in addition to his parents of rual Peterson are five brothers, T/4 Dale McGuire of Ft. Carson, Colorado, Donald, Garold, Gene and Ronnie McGuire, all at home. A maternal grandmother, Mrs. Margaret Ryan of Vermillion, S. Dak., also survives.

The McGuire family lived in both the Storm Lake and Quimby areas prior to moving to Peterson.

Source: The Peterson Patriot, Peterson, Clay County, Iowa; October 10, 1968.