This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Giraudo, John Charles, Maj Gen USAF(Ret).
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In WWII he flew B-17's and B-24's until his aircraft was shot down and he was taken as a POW Feb 25, 1944. He was held at Stalag Luft 1 in Barth-Vogelsang, Prussia, until freed in Apr 1945. During the Korean War he was shot down and AGAIN taken as a POW in May 1953. Before being shot down, he was credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft in aerial combat plus 1.5 probables and 1 damaged. He was one of very few men to be a POW in two different wars. He also flew combat missions in a third war, Vietnam. He retired from the AF Nov 1, 1977.
The location of his remains is unknown.
(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.
General Orders: Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-10 (January 2, 1968)
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Rome-Arno Campaign (1944)
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
September / 1944
Description (Rome-Arno Campaign 22 January to 9 September 1944) U.S. 5th Army advanced 150 miles to the Arno River. The unsuccessful attempt to break the Gustav Line on 22 January was followed by another unsuccessful effort in March when the infantry failed to push through after bombers had endeavored to open the line at Monte Cassino. Allied air power then began a vigorous campaign against railroads, highways, and shipping that supported German forces in Italy. With supply lines strangled, the Germans could not repulse the new drive launched by the Allies in May. German resistance crumbled. By 4 June 1944 the Allies had taken Rome. But the advance ground to a halt against a new defensive line the enemy established along the Arno River.