?Gene? McGuire, 93, passed away in Charleston, SC on Wednesday July 7, 2010.

He was born in Kayford West Virginia on June 11, 1917, and lived in Greenup, Kentucky until joining the Navy in 1936. He married his high school sweetheart Ethel in 1943.

Gene had a distinguished twenty year career in the Navy. He was onboard the USS San Francisco during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He fought in some of the most important WWII naval battles in the South Pacific including Guadalcanal, and was awarded the Silver Star Medal for bravery and valor. Following his retirement from the Navy, Gene or ?Mac? as many called him, continued working for the US Government until his 2nd retirement in 1972.

Gene and Ethel moved to Mission Viejo, California where he was active in the local Veteran’s organization, the Pearl Harbor Survivor’s organization, and the USS San Francisco Ship’s organization. Gene’s final move was to Sun City, South Carolina where he continued making new friends and participating in Veteran’s activities.

He is survived by his daughter Judy, son Mick, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A Memorial ceremony will be held Saturday July 17, 2010 at 10:00AM at the O?Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, California 92653, followed by burial at the El Toro Cemetery, Lake Forest, CA.