Lawrence Nicholas "Larry" Guarino (April 16, 1922 – August 18, 2014) was a United States Air Force officer, and veteran of three wars.Hubbell, John G. P.O.W.: A Definitive History of the American Prisoner-of-War Experience in Vietnam, 1964-1973 (New York: Reader's Digest Press), p. 50. Shot down on his 50th combat mission, he spent more than eight years as a prisoner of war (POW) during the Vietnam War and earned the Air Force Cross.

As a POW at Hỏa Lò Prison (the "Hanoi Hilton"), he shared a cell with John McCain, the future senior United States senator from Arizona and Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election. Guarino wrote A P.O.W.'s Story: 2801 Days in Hanoi about his experiences in captivity.

Guarino flew the Supermarine Spitfire in World War II. His last duty station was Patrick Air Force Base and he retired to Satellite Beach and Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, after leaving the Air Force. He died on August 18, 2014.

Awards and decorations Lawrence Guarino's ribbons as they appeared at retirement:

  Command Pilot Badge Air Force CrossAir Force Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star with bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of MeritDistinguished Flying Cross with V device and bronze oak leaf clusterBronze Star Medal with V device and two bronze oak leaf clustersPurple Heart with bronze oak leaf clusterAir Medal with two silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)Air Force Commendation Medal Air Force Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Prisoner of War MedalCombat Readiness Medal Army Good Conduct MedalAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign starsAsiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal with bronze campaign starWorld War II Victory MedalNational Defense Service Medal with bronze service starKorean War Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalVietnam Service Medal with three silver and bronze campaign starsVietnam Service Medal with bronze campaign star (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing)Korea Defense Service Medal Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver oak leaf clusterSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship RibbonArmed Forces Reserve MedalRepublic of Vietnam Gallantry CrossUnited Nations Service Medal for KoreaVietnam Campaign Medal

Air Force Cross citation Colonel Lawrence Nicholas Guarino U.S. Air Force Date Of Action: May 11, 1968 – September 22, 1969

See also When Hell was in Session

References