View source for THOMPSON C. GUTHRIE, JR., LTJG, USN

{{KeyDates|DoB=May 11, 1912|DoD=April 10, 1939|Age=26|name_class=Thompson Guthrie, Jr. '34}}

{{LuckyBag|LBLink=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1934unse|class=1934
|picture=1934 Guthrie LB.jpg
|LBName=THOMPSON CLYDE GUTHRIE, JR.
|LBHometown=Pikeville, Kentucky
|LBNickname="Junior" "Tom" "Corporal"
|LBText=THIS modest young man from Kentucky was passing through Annapolis one day, decided that he liked the place and has been with us ever since. Starting in Plebe Year with the determination to wage a successful war against "Ye Olde Academic Department," he has survived two wives and is in at the finish.
</p><p>
Tom loves to rave about the beautiful horses and fast women of Kentucky, but he says that he is no ladies' man himself; nevertheless, we have the straight dope that the best looking "d. O" in these parts calls him "Clyde, darling" and really means every word of it.
</p><p>
Every spring afternoon he wends his way to Hubbard Hall and does his part, during the course of the afternoon, to make Navy supreme on the water. He pulls a steady oar and loves nothing better than the long jaunts up the river.
</p><p>
Though he is quiet at times, Tom manages to get enough inspiration and incentive during the week-end to carry him through a hard week of academics. For recreation, in the evenings he turns to bridge. Perfectly sane until bridge is mentioned, all at once he becomes unmanageable—we can do nothing with him. Soon the spell is over, and he tackles his work with renewed energy.
</p><p>
Tom possesses, to a remarkable degree, all the characteristics of a true officer and gentleman. We expect to see some day books written on this man who once resided beside the waters of the Severn. Cheerio Tom, good health, good luck and happiness.
|LBECAs=''Boxing 4. 150 lb. Crew 3, 2. Cross Country 2. Quarter-Deck Society 1. 2 P.O.''}}

== Loss ==
Thompson was lost on April 10, 1939 when his SBU-1 crashed near Del Mar, California, during a training flight.

From The San Francisco Examiner, April 11, 1939:
<blockquote>
SAN DIEGO, April 10, -- (AP) – A wing folding in mid-air sent two Navy lieutenants, Glenn L. Dunagan, 29, and Thompson C. Guthrie, 26, to flaming death at nearby Del Mar today.

The plane, attached to Scouting Squadron 2, temporarily basing at North Island here, was engaged in mock gunnery practice in which attacks on an aerial sleeve target were being simulated.

Navy air experts were unable to say whether the dives taken by the plane had weakened its structure.

Observers said the plane was only about 500 feet from the ground when the wing flew off.
</blockquote>

== Other Information ==
From researcher Kathy Franz:
<blockquote>
After graduating from the Naval Academy, Thompson was assigned to the Northampton, a new heavy cruiser assigned to the Atlantic coast. In the fall, she was transferred to the Pacific fleet.

Thompson married Pauline Chambers on Christmas Day, 1935, in Pensacola. He was receiving flying training at the time.

Thompson's father was in produce sales in 1920 in Philadelphia and was an auto dealer in 1930 in Pikesville, Kentucky. His mother was Addie, a legal stenographer.
</blockquote>

He earned his wings as naval aviator #5240 as an Ensign on June 16, 1937.

He [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/49194948/thompson-clyde-guthrie is buried in] Arlington National Cemetery.

== Related Articles ==
[[GLENN L. DUNAGAN, LTJG, USN|Glenn Dunagan '33]] was also lost in this crash.

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{{ClassNav|PAGE_ID={{PAGEID}}|Name=Thompson|ClassYear=1934|PreviousPersonLink=WILLIAM J. DRUMTRA, LTJG, USN|PreviousPersonName=William Drumtra '34|NextPersonLink=JAMES S. TYLER, LTJG, USN|NextPersonName=James Tyler '34}}

[[Category:1934|Guthrie]]
[[Category:USNA 7th Company|Guthrie]]
[[Category:US Navy|Guthrie]]
[[Category:Operational loss|Guthrie]]
[[Category:Fixed Wing|Guthrie]]
[[Category:Scouting Squadron (VS) 2|Guthrie]]