Tribute to Gen. John R. Guthrie
Military.com
Gen. John R. Guthrie, U.S. Army, Retired
Dec. 20, 1921 – May 25, 2009
As many of you may already know, Gen. John R. Guthrie, U.S. Army, Retired, died on May 25, 2009.
Born in Phillipsburg, NJ, Gen.Guthrie graduated with honors in History from Princeton University in 1942, receiving his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant out of Princeton’s ROTC program.
He ultimately became the program’s first four star general. During his 39-year Army career, Gen.Guthrie was the Army Staff project officer for the launch of the U.S.’ first artificial earth satellite, Explorer I.
He also served as Chief of Staff of the 25th Infantry Division, Assistant Commanding General of the 2nd Division, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Japan, and finally, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, from which he retired in 1981.
AAFMAA was fortunate to count General Guthrie among its long-term members and, for a period of time, one of its Board members and finally Director Emeritus. Gen. Guthrie’s funeral was held at Fort Myer in Washington, DC on June 20, 2009, followed by burial at Arlington National Cemetery. “The General” is survived by his six children, their husbands and wives, nine grandchildren, and an extended family far too numerous to count.
