Providence-born Donald “Bud” Guilfoyle, USAF (Ret) (1918-2011) graduated from Central High School and lived in East Greenwich for more than 60 years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in May, 1942 and soon became an aviation cadet. He earned his wings in June, 1943, and after advanced training in Panama, he was assigned to the 86th Fighter Squadron in Naples, Italy flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. He flew 99 combat missions and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

On April 12, 1945, Guilfoyle piloted one of the 150 P-47s making a fly-over for the Hyde Park funeral of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Guilfoyle joined the Rhode Island Air National Guard, 143rd Air Wing on a part time basis in 1948, and then in 1957 became the full time air technician/base civil engineer. He retired as a Colonel (State Brigadier General) in 1974. He was a charter member and lifetime member of the P-47 Thunderbolt Association. He was also a member of the Order of Daedalians.