Lawrence Nicholas "Larry" Guarino (April 16, 1922 – August 18, 2014) was a United States Air Force officer, and veteran of three wars.

As a POW at Hỏa Lò Prison (the "Hanoi Hilton"), he shared a cell with John McCain,[citation needed] the future senior United States senator from Arizona and Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election.

[2] Lawrence Guarino's ribbons as they appeared at retirement:[3] Command Pilot Badge The President of the United States of America, authorized by Section 8742, Title 10, United States Code, awards the Air Force Cross to Colonel Lawrence N. Guarino for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as senior ranking officer of a North Vietnamese prison camp during the period 11 May 1968 to 22 September 1969.

Displaying great resilience when back in communication, he assumed command once again and slowly built the prisoner organization.

Through his extraordinary heroism and maximum resistance in the face of a brutal enemy, he reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.