
From New York State Senator Edward A. Rath III’s office
Terry McGuire’s Bio – US Army | & U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel
Terry McGuire served in the United States Army and United States Army Reserve, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2016.
Mr. McGuire graduated from Amherst Central High School in 1982, and started his Army career as an enlisted Reservist on active duty to become a cadet candidate at the United States Military Academy Prep School at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. He entered West Point in 1983 and graduated in 1987.
He completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, and then Ranger School. In 1989, he deployed with his Light Infantry Rifle Platoon to Panama with the 7th Infantry Division during Operation Just Cause. In 1991, he transferred to the Army Reserve and held various company command assignments within the 2nd Brigade, 98th Division.
Mr. McGuire returned to Western New York to seek better care for his autistic daughter, and was promoted to Major and joined the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion from the Special Operations Command. In December 2002, he was activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and served as a Direct Support Team Leader attached to the British Army in Basra, and later as Detachment Commander of 45 men and women in Baquba, Iraq, serving the United States 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Returning from Iraq in early 2004, Mr. McGuire joined the Canisius College ROTC program as an Assistant Professor of Military Science. In 2007, he was promoted to Lt. Col. and served in several staff operations positions, which included four years at the Pentagon from 2009-2013.
Mr. McGuire is currently employed as the Public Affairs Officer for VA Western New York Healthcare System. He is very active in veteran affairs, including his roles as past Chairman of the Board for the WNY Veterans Housing Coalition and Chairman of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park since 2018.
Mr. McGuire has earned numerous awards, including The Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, The Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terror Medal, The Expeditionary Medal, The New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, The Expert Infantryman Badge, The Airborne and Air Assault Badges, The Ranger Tab, The Combat Action Badge and the Army Staff Badge.
He resides in Williamsville with his wife, Noreen, and daughters, Brooke and Lauren, and continues to serve his community with honor.
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