Phillip James McGuire

Phillip James McGuire was born September 25, 1950 in Medford, OR to James and Margaret McGuire.  He grew up in Medford and Eagle Point, graduating from Eagle Point H.S. in 1968.  He passed away on August 7, 2018 from cancer at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, with family at his side. 

Phil joined the U.S. Army in 1970 as a Military Policeman, deploying to Vietnam, ascending to Provost Marshal Investigator with the 8th MP Group (Criminal Investigation).  Following Vietnam, Phil became a Special Agent with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and was assigned to Fort Dix, NJ and Camp Page, Korea.  Following Polygraph training in 1982, he was assigned as a CID Special Agent Polygraph Examiner at Fort Campbell, KY, and then the U.S. Army Crime Records Center in Baltimore, MD, ascending to Supervisor of that unit.  In 1986, Phil once again was sent to Korea where he oversaw polygraph operations throughout the Pacific Theater.  After Korea, Phil was selected to be an Inspector at Headquarters, U.S. Army CID Inspector General Team.  For three years, he traveled throughout the world inspecting CID offices.  In 1992, he became the Chief of the Polygraph Division.  Following his retirement as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 1993, Phil transitioned to civilian CID Special Agent and assumed duties as the Deputy Director of the Army’s Crime Record Center and became its Director in July 1996.  He retired from government service in February 2011. 

During his career in the Army and CID, he attained a B.A. in Criminal Justice from St. Martin’s College in 1981, a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University in 1987, and a Master of Forensic Science from the George Washington University in 1988.  He also graduated from the Metropolitan Police Detective Training School (New Scotland Yard) in London, England in 1987, and in 1990 graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. 

His military awards include the Legion of Merit, seven awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal 1st. Award, the National Defense Medal 2nd Award, the Overseas Service Ribbon 2, the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation. 

Phil was a devoted member of the First State Corvette Club of Delaware, enjoying road trips and car shows.  He owned several custom Corvettes and won many trophies for his cars.  He also loved fishing and gardening on his property in Laurel, MD.  Phil was loved and deeply respected by all who knew him.  The U.S. Deputy Asst. Secretary of the Interior, Harry Humbert, told our family, “He was a legend.” 

He was preceded in death by both his parents and his second wife, Pauline McGuire.  He is survived by his sister, Kathy Shope of Central Point, his daughters, Shelly and Traci Wickersham of Salem, OR, as well as two grandsons and many cousins in Medford, Bend, Eugene and metro Chicago, IL.   

Full Military Funeral Honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA in the near future.  Donations in memoriam may be made to the American Cancer Society.  Phil will be dearly missed. 

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