Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
John
C.
Giraudo
POW (WWII), POW (Korea)
October 2, 1923

–

June 17, 1996

Born:

Santa Barbara

, 

California

Home:

Santa Barbara

, 

California

During World War II John Giraudo flew B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator bombers until his aircraft was shot down and he was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 25, 1944. He was held at Stalag Luft 1 in Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia, until he was liberated in April 1945. During the Korean War he was Commander of the 25th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing from November 1952 until he was shot down and AGAIN taken as a Prisoner of War in May 1953. During this time, he was credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1.5 probables and 1 damaged. One of very few men in history to suffer as a Prisoner of War in two different wars, he retired in 1977 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General John C. Giraudo (AFSN: FR-16296), United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Giraudo and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General John C. Giraudo (AFSN: FR-16296), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Giraudo and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Regiment:

    355th Tactical Fighter Wing

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1967
    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-10 (January 2, 1968)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel John C. Giraudo (AFSN: FR-16296), United States Air Force, was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while Commanding the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing in Southeast Asia, on 5 November 1967. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General John C. Giraudo (AFSN: FR-16296), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Giraudo and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    Korean War

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major John C. Giraudo (AFSN: FR-16296), United States Air Force, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a fighter pilot with the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, in action over Korea in 1953. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1944 – April 1945

    Captain John C. Giraudo (AFSN: FR-16296), United States Army Air Forces, was interned as a Prisoner of War in Germany after he was shot down and captured on 25 February 1944, and was held until his release in April 1945.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Korean War)

    Action Date:

    May 13, 1953 – August 31, 1953

    Major John C. Giraudo (AFSN: FR-16296), United States Air Force, was interned as a Prisoner of War during the Korean War after he was shot down and captured on 13 May 1953 and was held until his release on 6 September 1953, during Operation Big Switch.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major General

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General John C. Giraudo (AFSN: FR-16296), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Giraudo and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.