Paul Hoover McGuff

Paul McGuff of northwest San Antonio died September 8, 2015 at University Hospital in the city. The son of William and Ethel Shirley McGuff, he was born in Daleville, Alabama 97 years ago. “Mac” graduated from Elmore County High School in Electric, Alabama in 1938. He attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta as an electrical engineering major but cut his school short in 1947 when called for induction in the newly formed United States Air Force. Following discharge from the Air Force he attended Trinity University where he graduated with honors and a degree in construction management. He was hired at Friedrich Air Conditioners where he remained as a manager for several decades. He was married to Sally Lucretia (nee Gantt) for 67 years. Mac was a high school quarterback, a mechanic, fighter pilot, scout leader and an eternal optimist.

He entered active Army service in May 1941 and served as a mechanic and instructor at Fort Knox. By 1943 he was a commissioned officer and attending flight training schools before assignment to the 35th Fighter Squadron in May 1944. He flew his favorite plane, a P-38, throughout the war. Over eleven months he flew 101 combat missions in New Guinea, Luzon, South Philippines, China and the Bismarck Archipelago. For his participation in World War II he received the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon and five bronze stars, the P.I. Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars, and other honors. Mac was recalled to duty In July 1947 upon the formation of the U. S. Air Force. He left the states soon after for Clark Field, Philippines, meeting his future wife, Sally, onboard the U.S.A.T. Pope in transit to Japan. At Clark Field he joined the 44th Fighter Squadron. He and members of his group took fighters mothballed at the end of World War II to serviceability and returned the reactivated squadron to operational status: activities that led to many accidents.

In September 1948, one such accident in a P-51 aircraft left McGuff hospitalized for years and his then 22-year-old and newlywed sweetheart readily accepted an unexpected role to ensure his recovery. She stayed by his side through his medical retirement as a Captain and afterwards until his death. He loved her dearly for this devotion.

Paul McGuff is survived by his wife, Sally; children, Paul Russell and wife, Dr. Karen Weitze of Stockton, California; Lucretia Ellen and husband, Dr. Sanford Silverman of Roosevelt, New Jersey, and; William Dorsey and wife, Dr. Susan Hilsenbeck of Houston, Texas. Also surviving is his brother, Russell and wife, Lou of Stone Mountain, Georgia and Tallahassee, Florida. Two grandchildren are Michael Paul and Benjamin Dorsey Silverman of Roosevelt, New Jersey.

Services will occur Monday September 14, 2015, at Saint Francis Episcopal Church (4242 Blumel Road) beginning at 1:00 PM, with a reception to follow at the church after the service. Interment will occur at 1:30 PM on October 13, 2015 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Those who desire may direct donations or flowers in honor of Paul McGuff to Saint Francis Episcopal Church.