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(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Samuel Charles Grashio (ASN: 0-412503), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Philippine Guerilla Forces during the period 4 April 1943 through 12 October 1943. Second Lieutenant Grashio was one of ten men including two Naval Officers, three Air Corps Officers, and two Marine Corps Officers who escaped after nearly a year in captivity after the fall of Bataan and Corregidor. The ten men evaded their captors for days until connecting with Filipino Guerillas under Wendell Fertig. The officers remained with the guerillas for weeks, obtaining vital information which they carried with them when they were subsequently evacuated by American submarines. Their escape was the only mass escape from a Japanese prison camp during the war. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Second Lieutenant Grashio during this period have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Prisoner of War, and the United States Army Air Forces.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    V Interceptor Command

    Division:

    Far East Air Force

    Action Date:

    February 1 – 2, 1942
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 21 (February 7, 1942)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Samuel C. Grashio (ASN: 0-412503), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as a Pilot with the V Interceptor Command, Far East Air Force, in action in the vicinity of Algoma Bay, Bataan, Philippine Islands, on the night of 1 – 2 February 1942. When report of an attempted enemy landing force was received, Lieutenant Grashio took off individually for the area of the reported landing attempt, and proceeded to bomb and heavily strafe, returning to his base to replenish his ammunition supply after each attack. The skill and determination of Lieutenant Grashio may be attested by the success of the attack. Several enemy landing barges were destroyed, and so many casualties inflicted that the landing attempt was repulsed. Furthermore, all airplanes and pilots returned to safety to their bases after completion of the mission. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Grashio, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    May 7, 1942 – April 3, 1943
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 40192

    Captain (Air Corps) Samuel C. Grashio (ASN: 0-412503), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by Japanese forces after the fall of the Philippine Islands on 7 May 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his successful escape from captivity on 3 April 1943.