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)
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: 3 * Length: 75 ft 2 in (22.9 m) * Wingspan: 72 ft 6 in (22.1 m) * Height: 23 ft 7 in (7.2 m) * Wing area: 780 ft² (72.5 m²) * Empty weight: 42,540 lb (19,300 kg) * Loaded weight: 57,800 lb (26,200 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 83,000 lb (38,000 kg) * Powerplant: 2× Allison J71-A-11 or -13 turbojets, 10,200 lbf (45 kN) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 631 mph (548 kn, 1,020 km/h) * Combat radius: 900 mi (780 NM, 1,500 km) * Ferry range: 2,470 mi (2,150 NM, 3,970 km) * Service ceiling 39,400 ft (12,000 m) * Rate of climb: 5,000 ft/min (25 m/s) * Wing loading: 74.1 lb/ft² (361.4 kg/m²) * Thrust/weight: 0.35
Armament
* Guns: 2× 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon in radar/remotely operated tail turret * Bombs: 15,000 lb (6,800 kg)